Treatment Modalities

Strength-based Approaches

Utilize existing resources

Strengths-based therapy is an approach to psychotherapy treatment based in positive psychology. A strengths-based therapist focuses on the client’s existing resources, resilience, and positive qualities in an effort to use these abilities to improve quality of life and reduce problematic symptoms.

The aim of strengths-based therapy is to improve the client’s mindset and instill a positive world view so they can perceive themselves as resourceful and resilient when they are experiencing adverse conditions. What makes this approach different is its focus on identifying factors that might be holding back the person’s growth. It empowers clients to be the agent of change by creating an environment for change. As with all therapeutic approaches, a therapist will choose techniques based on the client’s unique needs. A strengths-based therapist might use some of the following techniques in their sessions:

Identifying Client Strengths: The therapist will provide a list of strengths with definitions and work with the client to identify which strengths apply. Clients can use the list as a starting point to identify their strengths.
Looking for Signs of Strength: This intervention is more open-ended and involves asking questions such as, “What are you good at?” This helps the client identify pre-existing areas of strength. It is less structured than identifying strengths from a list, which might allow the client to identify strengths that might not have been included on the list.
Re-Framing: A strengths-based therapist will encourage the client to examine weaknesses and identify ways that these qualities can be re-framed as strengths. For example, someone who worries about what others are thinking might be very compassionate and caring. This is used as a starting point to identify how behaviors or qualities can be used to improve the client’s mindset or quality of life.
Strengths Journaling: The therapist will ask the client to keep a journal tracking their strengths to help practice identifying these strengths and the situations where the strength benefited them. This improves mindfulness and helps the client notice existing strengths in their daily life.
Asking Strengths Growth Questions: The therapist will ask questions to help the client identify how and when a strength benefits them to help channel and use the strength in the most effective way possible. These questions can include things like, “When is a time I could have used this strength?” or “When is a time that I relied too heavily on this strength?”

Marschall, A. (2021, December 13). What is Strengths-based Therapy?. Very well mind.
https://www.verywellmind.com/strengths-based-therapy-definition-and-techniques-5211679