Understanding Strength-Based Therapy

In contrast to traditional deficit-focused models of therapy, strength-based therapy operates on the premise that individuals are resilient and have the capacity to create positive change in their lives. The strength-based model falls within the umbrella of positive psychology. Therapists employing this approach aim to identify and amplify the inherent strengths of their clients. Markedly, the hope is that by attending to strengths, the therapy will nurture a sense of self-efficacy and empowerment.

Wayne McCashen explains:

“The strengths approach is a philosophy for working with people. It rests on values of respect for people’s dignity, their capacities, rights, uniqueness and commonalities. It is an approach that rests on a set of principles and uses a range of frameworks in a flexible and responsive way to assist learning, growth, and change” (McCashen, 2017, p. 183).

Martin Seligman wrote that positive psychology is “as focused on strength as on weakness, as interested in building the best things in life as in repairing the worst, and as concerned with fulfilling the lives of normal people as with healing the wounds of the distressed” (Peterson & Seligman, 2004).

McCashen believed that the strength-based approach “is an approach to people that is primarily dependent upon positive attitudes about people’s dignity, capacities, rights, uniqueness and commonalities” (McCashen, 2017, p. 27).

Similar to Rogerian person-centered therapy, strength-based therapy helps the individual help themselves. Carl Rogers believed that people have a natural proclivity toward growth and fulfillment. Under the right conditions, the individual will achieve self-actualization.

See Person Centered Therapy for more on this topic

Don Clifton and Strength-Based Therapy

Strength based therapy has roots in many proceeding theories, reaching back to Alfred Adler. However, for many, Donald Clifton is the father of strength-based psychology. During the late 1940’s, Clifton and his colleagues started the Nebraska Human Resources Research Foundation, which served as a community service to students and a laboratory for graduate students to practice strengths-based psychology.

The core question at the foundation of all of Clifton’s work was, “what would happen if we studied what was right with people versus what’s wrong with people?” (Jones-Smith, 2017). Clifton’s strength assessment tool has evaluated over thirty-two million people. Clifton’s early work was focused on helping organizations find employees, candidates and students that would excel. However, in the 1990’s, Clifton shifted focus to the individual.

Clifton began his groundbreaking work on helping the individual identify and develop strengths is marked by the publishing of his book Soar with Your Strengths.

Clifton’s assessment tools and published material provided a foundation for bringing a strength-based approach to the therapeutic world.

Three Domains of Positive Psychology Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is divided into three primary domains of research. These are:

1. Positive Subjective Experience: this domain pertains to positive emotions such as joy and happiness.
2. Positive Individual Traits: this domain pertains to positive character traits and virtues such as courage, resilience, and kindness.
3. Positive Institutions: this domain refers to communities, organizations, and groups (including families and intimate relationships) that allow and encourage individuals to practice and experience the other two domains (Wong 2006).

Strength-based therapy falls within the second domain of positive psychology.

Character Strengths

Tom Rath wrote:

“One big problem is that most people are either unaware of, or unable to describe, their own strengths” (Rath, 2007).

Perhaps, it is cognitively easier to have a professional find a diagnosis of an illness. We can then put the impetus on them to cure our ailment. Strength-based therapies put the impetus back on the individual. Therapists assist the individual on a journey of discovering themselves, their strengths, and utilizing these newly discovered aspects of themselves in solution-based behaviors to resolve problems in their lives.

Christopher Peterson and Martin E. P. Seligman wrote that they believe that “character strengths are the bedrock of the human condition and that strength-congruent activity represents an important route to the psychological good life” (Peterson & Seligman, 2004).

Some common character strengths are:

• Wisdom: the ability to acquire and use knowledge for good purposes, such as curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and perspective.
• Resilience: the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or toughness in the face of adversity. It involves the capacity to adapt and bounce back when encountering challenges or stressful situations.
• Courage: the ability to overcome fear and adversity, such as bravery, perseverance, honesty, and zest.
• Humanity: the ability to care for and connect with others, such as kindness, love, social intelligence, and empathy.
• Justice: the ability to promote fairness and equity in society, such as teamwork, leadership, fairness, and citizenship.
• Temperance: the ability to regulate oneself and avoid excess, such as humility, prudence, self-control, and forgiveness.
• Transcendence: the ability to appreciate and enhance the meaning and beauty of life, such as gratitude, hope, spirituality, humor, and awe.

Resources for Identifying Character Strengths

These character strengths and virtues can be measured by various instruments, such as the Values in Action (VIA) Inventory of Strengths, and can be cultivated by various interventions, such as positive psychology coaching, education, and therapy.

Resources for identifying strengths:

• StrengthsFinder 2.0 from Gallup
• Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification

See Character Strengths for more on this topic

Basic Practical Applications

1. Personalized Goal Setting

By identifying and utilizing strengths, clients gain clarity on how to apply them to achieve personal and professional goals. This process not only bolsters confidence but also fosters a sense of purpose and direction. Understanding one’s strengths and leveraging them effectively can lead to enhanced performance and satisfaction in various areas of life.

Through this introspective journey, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of their capabilities and find innovative ways to maximize their potential. Additionally, by aligning their strengths with their goals, individuals can create a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life. Ultimately, this approach contributes to overall well-being.

See Workable Plan for more on this topic

2. Resilience Building

Through the exploration of past successes and effective coping strategies, individuals can enhance their resilience in the face of adversity. This equips them with the tools needed to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence. Building resilience involves developing a positive outlook, seeking social support, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and cultivating problem-solving skills. By reflecting on how they have overcome obstacles in the past, individuals can gain insight into their own strengths and capabilities.

This process can help them develop a sense of mastery and control over their circumstances, leading to increased resilience in the face of future challenges. It’s important to recognize that resilience isn’t about avoiding stress and adversity, but rather about adapting and thriving in the face of them. Accordingly, by embracing the concept of resilience, individuals can foster a sense of hope. Hope in turn strengthens self-efficacy, allowing individuals to approach life’s inevitable difficulties with greater courage.

See Building Resilience for more on this topic

3. Reconstructing Narratives

Strength-based therapy is a powerful and transformative approach that empowers individuals to embrace their inner strength and resilience. This therapeutic method emphasizes the importance of reframing life narratives in a way that highlights triumphs, resilience, and personal growth. By encouraging clients to reinterpret past experiences through a positive lens. Accordingly, new strength-based narratives enables them to reclaim their lives, fostering a new sense of empowerment.

This approach recognizes the inherent potential within each individual and focuses on leveraging existing strengths to promote healing and growth. In doing so, clients can develop a renewed sense of self-confidence and a deeper appreciation for their unique journey.

See Narrative Identity for more on this topic