An Introduction to the Strengths-Based Approach

Royalty free photo from pexels.com

Social workers use the strengths-based approach to identify and encourage the innate strengths that already exist within each of their clients. Core tenants of the strengths-based perspective include that all humans have strengths and that it is easier for them to move toward something they want rather than away from something they do not want. Beyond simply utilizing this philosophy at some point during the treatment process, strengths-based clinicians believe this approach to be the critical starting point of client work. Rather than spending time during sessions only focusing on a client’s weaknesses or areas of their lives that need improvement, a strengths-based approach suggests exploring the areas of clients’ lives that are going well.

The strengths-based perspective can be contrasted with the medical model, which often lacks a holistic understanding of the problem(s) at hand by focusing only on the symptoms rather than exploring the root causes. Whereas the medical model focuses on disease, deficiencies, incompetencies, what is wrong, and the “unhealthy” parts of a client’s life, the strengths-based perspective focuses on health, strengths, competencies, what is good, and the “healthy” parts of a client’s life. Whereas the medical model often views clients as part of the problem, the strengths-based approach always returns to the mantra that “the problem is the problem; the person is not the problem.” This approach allows clients to learn about their strengths, resources, talents, and capacities while also taking control of their own lives by creating positive and necessary change. In this way, therapists are viewed as collaborative partners on this journey rather than the experts who have all the answers and know what is best in every situation.

The strengths-based perspective is not a form of toxic positivity that denies the existence of pain, suffering, hardship, problems, and challenges. Rather, this framework acknowledges and validates all of those experiences in addition to offering a new paradigm that can be used when processing and working through life’s more challenging chapters. According to Hammond and Zimmerman (2012), whatever clinicians and clients focus on tends to be what grows. It is possible to recognize that changes need to be made for and by the client while simultaneously viewing the client and their needs through a humanistic lens. Humanistic psychology was developed by psychologists such as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, who turned traditional psychodynamic principles on their head by shifting the focus away from what is “wrong” with a person to instead focus on what is “right” with a person.

A key component of utilizing the strengths-based perspective is the practitioner’s ability to identify and uncover strengths within their client. The clients can also undertake this introspective process of inquiry by themselves. However, if this approach is new to the client or practitioner, it can sound easy in theory but can prove to be a bit more challenging in actual practice. It can be a helpful part of treatment to spend time looking at the client’s healthy coping skills and mechanisms, which could be as simple as acknowledging that—although the client is experiencing issues—their presence with the social worker proves that they are looking for help. This approach is meant to create hope and optimism in the client as they move forward and discover ways to overcome the obstacles they are currently facing.

By discussing and focusing only on the deficiencies and problems in clients’ lives, it is easy for mental health professionals to lose perspective of the bigger picture of all the complex factors that contribute to a client’s present-day reality. Remembering that each client is the expert of their own life is imperative. No trained professional will ever understand their lived experience better than they will. When clinicians lose sight of a client’s humanity by focusing only on the problems that they are experiencing, clinicians do a real disservice to their clients.

Every person alive has strengths, regardless of what they have been through and what their life currently looks like. It is often through life’s hardships and adversities that a person’s strengths may shine. The strengths-based approach empowers clients to cultivate and discover solutions that are based on their personal abilities, skills, strengths, and perspectives. This model empowers clients to find the solutions that are most accessible and effective for their systems. Peer-reviewed literature has shown that the strengths-based approach can decrease clients’ depression and increase their engagement, satisfaction, self-esteem, self-efficacy, self-empowerment, hope, resilience, and well-being.

References

Doizan, T. L. (2021). Using the PERMA model in a strengths-based intervention to influence self-esteem in secondary students (Doctoral dissertation, Concordia University Irvine).

Early, T. J., & GlenMaye, L. F. (2000). Valuing families: Social work practice with families from a strengths perspective. Social Work, 45(2), 118–130.

Graziosi, M., Yaden, D. B., Clifton, J. D., Mikanik, N., & Niemiec, R. M. (2022). A strengths-based approach to chronic pain. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 17(3), 400-408.

Hammond, W., & Zimmerman, R. (2012). A strengths-based perspective. Resiliency Initiatives.

Hepworth, D. H., Rooney, R. H., Rooney, G. D., & Strom-Gottfried, K. (2017). Direct social work practice: Theory and skills (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.

MacFarlane, C. D. (2006). My strength: A look outside the box at the strengths perspective. Social Work, 51(2), 175–176.

Madden, W., Green, S., & Grant, A. M. (2020). A pilot study evaluating strengths‐based coaching for primary school students: Enhancing engagement and hope. Coaching Researched: A Coaching Psychology Reader, 297-312.

Padesky, C. A., & Mooney, K. A. (2012). Strengths‐based cognitive–behavioural therapy: A four‐step model to build resilience. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 19(4), 283-290.

Rashid, T., & McGrath, R. (2020). Strengths-based actions to enhance wellbeing in the time of COVID-19. International Journal of Wellbeing, 10(4).

Saleebey, D. (1996). The strengths perspective in social work practice: Extensions and cautions. Social Work, 41(3), 296–305.

Schutte, N. S., & Malouff, J. M. (2019). The impact of signature character strengths interventions: A meta-analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20, 1179-1196.

Sheafor, B. & Horejsi, C. (2012). Techniques and guidelines for social work practice (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Sousa, L., Ribeiro Cláudia, & Rodrigues, S. (2006). Intervention with multi‐problem poor clients: Towards a strengths‐focused perspective. Journal of Social Work Practice, 20(2), 189–204.

Suranata, K., Atmoko, A., & Hidayah, N. (2017). Enhancing students’ resilience: Comparing the effect of cognitive-behavior and strengths-based counseling. 2nd International Conference on Innovative Research Across Disciplines (ICIRAD 2017), 102-108.

Toros, K., & Falch-Eriksen, A. (2021). Strengths-based practice in child welfare: A systematic literature review. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30, 1586-1598.

Yan, T., Chan, C. W., Chow, K. M., Zheng, W., & Sun, M. (2020). A systematic review of the effects of character strengths‐based intervention on the psychological well‐being of patients suffering from chronic illnesses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(7), 1567-1580.

Yip, K. (2005). A strengths perspective in working with an adolescent with depression. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 28(4), 362–369.

Yuen, E., Sadhu, J., Pfeffer, C., Sarvet, B., Daily, R. S., Dowben, J., Jackson, K., Schowalter, J., Shapiro, T., & Stubbe, D. (2020). Accentuate the positive: Strengths-based therapy for adolescents. Adolescent Psychiatry, 10(3), 166-171.