How Does Strengths-Based Therapy Work?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGoalsTechniquesUsesBenefitsEffectivenessCriticismsGetting Started

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Goals

Techniques

Uses

Benefits

Effectiveness

Criticisms

Getting Started

Strengths-based therapy is an approach to psychotherapy treatment based inpositive psychology. It focuses on a person’s existing resources, resilience, and positive qualities, then uses these abilities to improve their quality of life and reduce problematic symptoms.

Learning the goals and techniques of this type of therapy can help you know what to expect. It’s also beneficial to understand what conditions strengths-based therapy can help with, the benefits it provides, and what research says about its effectiveness so you know whether it may be a good option for you.

Goal of Strengths-Based Therapy

Strengths-based therapy aims to improve a person’s mindset and instill a positive worldview. It enables them to see themselves as resourceful and resilient when experiencing adverse conditions or hardships.

Strengths-Based Therapy Techniques

In all therapeutic approaches, the therapist chooses their techniques based on the client’s unique needs. Techniques a strengths-based therapist might use in their sessions include:

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When Strengths-Based Therapy Can Help

Strengths-based therapy can be helpful for many different concerns. It can helpboost self-esteemand confidence, for instance, with some evidence that this approach can be beneficial for individuals withdepression or anxiety.

Strengths-based therapy can also help individuals recovering fromtrauma.Building resilience and improving worldview can help alleviate many symptoms associated with these diagnoses.

Couples and families can benefit from a strengths-based treatment as it helps reframe challenges andboost healthy communication skills. Individuals learn to recognize how their strengths contribute to the relationship while beginning to identify their partner or family member’s strengths as well.

Strengths-based therapy could also help teens with identity development and insight. For similar reasons, it also benefitscareer counselingand determining what kinds of jobs might be a good fit for an individual.

Strengths-based therapy may be utilized in conjunction with other types of therapy, includingcognitive-behavioral therapy,humanistic therapy, andnarrative therapy. Therapists might also use a strengths-based approach if they are engaging insolution-focused therapy,brief motivational interviewing, orinterpersonal therapy.

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Benefits of Strengths-Based Therapy

Many people find strengths-based therapy beneficial in their mental health journeys. One reason is that positive psychology changes the traditional therapy narrative from “What do we need to fix about you?” to “What is the good that is already in you, and how can we bring that out?”

Individuals enter strengths-based therapy with strengths; the therapy simply helps amplify these strengths so they’re used for the person’s maximum benefit.

Effectiveness of Strengths-Based Therapy

Research surrounding strengths-based therapy has shown that it is an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, including depressionand trauma.It is also beneficial as an early intervention for seriousmental health issues, such as psychosis.

Although people of all ages can benefit from this approach, teenagers in particular often find strengths-based therapy effective.This is partially because of focusing on the development and utilization of resilient beliefs and behaviors instead of identifying and challenging cognitive distortions.

Strengths-based therapy can be effective for both in-person andtelehealth therapy sessions.This enables participants to choose which method works best for them.

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Strengths-Based Therapy Criticisms

As with all therapeutic approaches, strengths-based therapy is not an ideal fit for everyone. Critics of this therapy type include:

If this approach is not the right fit for you, that is okay. There are manytherapeutic optionsthat can help improve mental health.

How to Get Started With Strengths-Based Therapy

If you feel that a strengths-based approach may benefit you and you are currently in therapy, you can ask your therapist if they are familiar with this approach. Talk about whether these interventions might be a good fit for you. Inquire whether they offer strengths-based therapy and, if not, ask if they could refer you to someone who does.

If you do not already have a therapist, you can alsosearch for a therapistwho specializes in this approach. Therapists with training in a strengths-based approach will often indicate this on their website or profile.

During intake, the therapist will gather information about your history and symptoms. They might also have you complete a strengths-based assessment to gather more information. Then, you and your therapist will work together to create atreatment planthat focuses on your strengths and positive qualities.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

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6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Victor PP, Teismann T, Willutzki U.A pilot evaluation of a strengths-based CBT intervention module with college students.Behav Cogn Psychother. 2017;45(4):427-431. doi:10.1017/S1352465816000552Gabana N.A strengths-based cognitive behavioral approach to treating depression and building resilience in collegiate athletics: the individuation of an identical twin.Case Stud Sport Exerc Psychol. 2017;1(1):4-15. doi:10.1123/cssep.2016-0005Block AM, Aizenman L, Saad A, et al.Peer support groups: evaluating a culturally grounded, strengths-based approach for work with refugees.ASW. 2018;18(3):930-948. doi:10.18060/21634Allott K, Steele P, Boyer F, et al.Cognitive strengths-based assessment and intervention in first-episode psychosis: A complementary approach to addressing functional recovery?Clinical Psychology Review. 2020;79:101871. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101871Yuen E, Sadhu J, Pfeffer C, et al.Accentuate the positive: Strengths-based therapy for adolescents.Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020;10(3):166-171. doi:10.2174/2210676610666200225105529Victor P, Krug I, Vehoff C, Lyons N, Willutzki U.Strengths-based cbt: internet-based versus face-to-face therapy in a randomized controlled trial.J Depress Anxiety. 2018;07(02):1000301. doi:10.4172/2167-1044.1000301

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Victor PP, Teismann T, Willutzki U.A pilot evaluation of a strengths-based CBT intervention module with college students.Behav Cogn Psychother. 2017;45(4):427-431. doi:10.1017/S1352465816000552Gabana N.A strengths-based cognitive behavioral approach to treating depression and building resilience in collegiate athletics: the individuation of an identical twin.Case Stud Sport Exerc Psychol. 2017;1(1):4-15. doi:10.1123/cssep.2016-0005Block AM, Aizenman L, Saad A, et al.Peer support groups: evaluating a culturally grounded, strengths-based approach for work with refugees.ASW. 2018;18(3):930-948. doi:10.18060/21634Allott K, Steele P, Boyer F, et al.Cognitive strengths-based assessment and intervention in first-episode psychosis: A complementary approach to addressing functional recovery?Clinical Psychology Review. 2020;79:101871. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101871Yuen E, Sadhu J, Pfeffer C, et al.Accentuate the positive: Strengths-based therapy for adolescents.Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020;10(3):166-171. doi:10.2174/2210676610666200225105529Victor P, Krug I, Vehoff C, Lyons N, Willutzki U.Strengths-based cbt: internet-based versus face-to-face therapy in a randomized controlled trial.J Depress Anxiety. 2018;07(02):1000301. doi:10.4172/2167-1044.1000301

Victor PP, Teismann T, Willutzki U.A pilot evaluation of a strengths-based CBT intervention module with college students.Behav Cogn Psychother. 2017;45(4):427-431. doi:10.1017/S1352465816000552Gabana N.A strengths-based cognitive behavioral approach to treating depression and building resilience in collegiate athletics: the individuation of an identical twin.Case Stud Sport Exerc Psychol. 2017;1(1):4-15. doi:10.1123/cssep.2016-0005Block AM, Aizenman L, Saad A, et al.Peer support groups: evaluating a culturally grounded, strengths-based approach for work with refugees.ASW. 2018;18(3):930-948. doi:10.18060/21634Allott K, Steele P, Boyer F, et al.Cognitive strengths-based assessment and intervention in first-episode psychosis: A complementary approach to addressing functional recovery?Clinical Psychology Review. 2020;79:101871. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101871Yuen E, Sadhu J, Pfeffer C, et al.Accentuate the positive: Strengths-based therapy for adolescents.Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020;10(3):166-171. doi:10.2174/2210676610666200225105529Victor P, Krug I, Vehoff C, Lyons N, Willutzki U.Strengths-based cbt: internet-based versus face-to-face therapy in a randomized controlled trial.J Depress Anxiety. 2018;07(02):1000301. doi:10.4172/2167-1044.1000301

Victor PP, Teismann T, Willutzki U.A pilot evaluation of a strengths-based CBT intervention module with college students.Behav Cogn Psychother. 2017;45(4):427-431. doi:10.1017/S1352465816000552

Gabana N.A strengths-based cognitive behavioral approach to treating depression and building resilience in collegiate athletics: the individuation of an identical twin.Case Stud Sport Exerc Psychol. 2017;1(1):4-15. doi:10.1123/cssep.2016-0005

Block AM, Aizenman L, Saad A, et al.Peer support groups: evaluating a culturally grounded, strengths-based approach for work with refugees.ASW. 2018;18(3):930-948. doi:10.18060/21634

Allott K, Steele P, Boyer F, et al.Cognitive strengths-based assessment and intervention in first-episode psychosis: A complementary approach to addressing functional recovery?Clinical Psychology Review. 2020;79:101871. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101871

Yuen E, Sadhu J, Pfeffer C, et al.Accentuate the positive: Strengths-based therapy for adolescents.Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020;10(3):166-171. doi:10.2174/2210676610666200225105529

Victor P, Krug I, Vehoff C, Lyons N, Willutzki U.Strengths-based cbt: internet-based versus face-to-face therapy in a randomized controlled trial.J Depress Anxiety. 2018;07(02):1000301. doi:10.4172/2167-1044.1000301

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Goal of Strengths-Based Therapy#

Strengths-Based Therapy Techniques#

When Strengths-Based Therapy Can Help#

Benefits of Strengths-Based Therapy#

Effectiveness of Strengths-Based Therapy#

Strengths-Based Therapy Criticisms#

How to Get Started With Strengths-Based Therapy#

Get Help Now#