Strengths Perspective focuses on:
the individuals capacities, talents, competencies, possibilities, visions, values and hopes.
What is a “roster of resources”?
all of the individuals strengths, capacities, and support that enable them to succeed.
Strengths Perspective puts the focus on:
“what people want their lives to be like, and what resources and strengths they have or need to get there” (saleebey, 2009, pg. 12)
What are the different types of strengths?
4
1) Capacities, assets, & resources
2) Personal Qualities , traits, and virtues (humour, caring, creativity, loyalty, insight, independence, spirituality
3) Knowledge
4) Talents
Questions to ask a person to highlight their strengths:
*Survival Questions?
- What is it that enables you to rise to challenges put before you?
- What are you thinking and feeling as you face uncertainties?
Questions to ask a person to highlight their strengths:
*Support Questions?
- What people or groups have given you special understanding/support/guidance?
- Who in your life can you depend on?
- Do you belong to any groups?
Questions to ask a person to highlight their strengths:
*Exception Questions?
- Tell me about a time in your life when things were going great.
(revert ones train of thought to a good time within their memory
Questions to ask a person to highlight their strengths:
*Possibility Questions?
- What do you want out of life?
- What people and/or personal qualities are helping you move in this direction?
Questions to ask a person to highlight their strengths:
*Esteem Questions?
- When someone from your network describes you, what do they say?
- What have you done in your life that gives you great pride?
Questions to ask a person to highlight their strengths:
*Perspective Questions?
- What do you make of your current situation?
Questions to ask a person to highlight their strengths:
*Change Questions?
- What do you think you could do or should do to make things more satisfying?
Questions to ask a person to highlight their strengths:
*Meaning Questions?
- What gives you purpose?
- What do you find value in?
What is the central tenet of the Strength perspective?
Hope and the belief in the possible.
Resources exist…
within and around the individual, family, and/or community.
Needed services are determined by…
Identifying the difference between where the client is at right now and his/her aspirations.
What is “Survivor’s Pride”?
a sense of accomplishment in having survived life’s challenges. Often the pride is overshadowed by embarrassment, confusion, distraction, or self-doubt - but when it exists and is lit, it can ignite the engine of change.
How do we best serve clients?
by working with them, assisting the individual to discover and expand the resources accessible to them, and by advocating for the individual.
Caring, Caretaking, and Context:
Caring: all family members myst be permitted and assisted in caring for their members
Caretaking: all those paid caregivers need to be able to give the support and quality care that is commensurate with the highest ideals of care without subverting their own well-being
Context: All people who need care, get it. One way or another.
