In recent decades, a number of strengths-based counselling (SBC) therapies have emerged (see notes below (1, 2), which have generally developed from the foundations of positive psychology, narrative therapy, prevention work, and social work. Yet, each draws from a belief in client capacity-building and self-determination(1). Another common theme among these models is a foundational shift that departs from the traditional medical model, which tends to view psychological issues from a deficits-skewed lens. In other words, people have problems and deficits. Instead, SBC uses a self-correcting framework that is based on the notion that human beings have self-righting inclinations, an innate capacity to “see the glass as half-full”, and tap into resilience stores/stories to overcome adversity (1). The focus in SBC, then, is on clients’ strengths, assets, and capacity for individual and social change (1). SBC draws from the idea that clients “are in a process of becoming”, and that our individual worldviews are actively constructed (3).
The SBC process often includes four steps:
Establishing empathy in the counselling relationship; the counsellor then helps the client to
-recognize lifestyle choices, beliefs, feelings, and behaviours;
-develop insight; and
-commit to changes and work on new behaviours. In this way, the process of self-determination becomes activated.
The SBC model is also a value system rather than a prescribed set of therapeutic techniques. Drawing from principles of feminist psychology, positive psychology, and strength-based interventions, SBC often begins with an exploration and inventory of strengths (4), which are used for goal-setting and well-being practices. Counselling sessions shine a light overlooked abilities, knowledge, and lived experience, often through common steps(1):
1. Assessing the presenting problem, understanding the contextual nature of the problem, and examining the details of behaviours and the overall situation, which link to the consequences of the problem.
2. Encouraging and instilling hope
3. Framing solutions
4. Building strength and competence
5. Empowering through making change, such as changing the meaning of circumstance(s) reframing, and building resilience
6. Evaluating the process
SBC is mindful of cross-cultural, contextual (e.g., environment, situation), developmental and lifespan situated strengths (cognitive, emotional, physical, or experiential factors). This includes categories of strengths (wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity and love, justice, temperance and transcendence).
The SBC movement shifts from a frame of “weakness and damage”
to one of “strength and virtue”.
In other words, “[t]reatment is not just fixing what is broken,
it is nurturing what is best within ourselves”
(Seligman, 1999, as cited in Smith, 2006, p.13).
12 Principles of Strengths-Based Counselling (SBC) (Smith, 2006)
1: Humans are self-righting organisms who engage perpetually in an ongoing pattern of adaptation to their environment, a pattern that may be healthy or unhealthy.
2: People develop strengths as a result of internal and external forces and as part of their human driving force to meet basic psychological needs.
3: Each individual has the capacity for strength development and for growth and change. 4: Strength levels vary, ranging from low to high. 5: Strength is the end product of a dialectical process involving a person’s struggle with adversity. (e.g., dialectical 'opposing influences' and logical discussions of thoughts and ideas as they emerge naturally) 6: Human strengths act as buffers against mental illness. 7: People are motivated to change during counselling when the focus is on their strengths rather than on their deficits, weaknesses, or problems. 8: Encouragement is a key source and form of positive regard provided by the counsellor to effect client change. 9: In SBC, the therapist consciously and intentionally honours the client’s efforts and struggles to deal with their problems or presenting issues. 10: The SB counsellor understands that people are motivated to change self-defeating behaviour. They believe this will impact the desired life changes. 11: The SB counsellor understands the process of healing from pain and adversity. 12: The SB therapist assumes that race, class, and gender are organizing elements in every counselling interaction.
If the SBC framework appeals to you, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to set up a time to discuss this further.
Notes
1. Smith, E. (2006). The strength-based counseling model. The Counseling Psychologist, 34, 13-79.
2. Scheel, M., Davis, C, & Henderson, J. (2012). Therapist use of client strengths: A qualitative study of positive processes. The Counseling Psychologist, 41(3), 392-427.
3. Sapp, M. (2006, January). The strength-based model for counseling at-risk youths. The
Counseling Psychologist, 34(1), 108-117.
4. Johnson, N. G. (2003). On treating adolescent girls: Focus on strengths and resiliency in
psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 59, 1193-1203.
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