Lisa Van Der Merwe - Alpharetta Counselor

  • Home
  • About
  • FAQs
    • Forms
  • Specialties
    • Couples Counseling
    • Partners of Narcissists and Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents
    • Men’s Issues
    • Stress and Anxiety
    • Depression and Low Mood
    • Life and Executive Coaching
    • Public Speaking and Workshops
    • Private Practice Building – Consultation for Therapists
  • Approach
    • Recommended Reading
  • Contact
  • Blog

Aug 31 2011

What is Strengths-Based Counseling?

Strengths-based counseling focuses on the inherent strengths and skills that people already have, and uses it as building blocks for future success and problem-solving. Instead of just focusing attention on the problem or using language that stigmatizes or makes people feel like a victim, a strengths-focused approach empowers people by drawing attention to the positives that already exist within and around them.  This approach dictates that people aren’t defined by their problem, diagnosis, or illness. Instead they are defined by their capacity for growth and change.

Utilizing a strengths-based approach can be particularly useful for individuals who feel overwhelmed by the enormity of their problems. By re-framing one’s perception of the situation from focusing on everything that is wrong to one that recognizes what is right, you can begin to develop positive, realisitic, and achievable goals.

As an example, let’s say parents are concerned that their teenage daughter seems to be taking her grades less seriously and is becoming irresponsible. However, upon closer inspection you may find that she is very responsible at her part-time job, always comes home before her curfew, and isn’t influenced negatively by her peers. By focusing on her strengths and all the areas of her life where she does demonstrate responsibility, she can build upon those skills to refocus her attention on maintaining her grades.

This approach doesn’t mean that you ignore the problem or fail to discuss it directly. What can make this approach so powerful is that you discuss problems within the context of drawing upon the strengths and successes that people demonstrate in other areas of their life. When people feel empowered, they can be full participants in bringing about more positive changes.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Written by Lisa · Categorized: About Therapy

Subscribe To My Blog

Like what you read on the blog? Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts.

Recent Posts

  • New Office Location 4/4/22
  • COVID-19 Update 12/7/21
  • Covid-19 Update 5/22/21
  • COVID-19 Update 12/23/2020
  • COVID-19/Counseling Update

Categories

  • About Therapy
  • Coping Skills
  • Divorce
  • Grief and Loss
  • Narcissism
  • Parenting
  • Relationships
  • Teens
  • Uncategorized
  • Work/Life Balance

Archives

  • March 2022
  • December 2021
  • May 2021
  • December 2020
  • March 2020
  • July 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • October 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • September 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • September 2014
  • May 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011

Contact

Lisa Van Der Merwe, LCSW, PC
Northfall Professional Park
11795 Northfall Lane, Suite 601 | Alpharetta, GA 30009
ph. 770-356-4408
lisa@lvcounseling.com

Easily accessible from Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Canton, Woodstock, Norcross, Cumming, and Atlanta

Stay Connected

Looking for counseling or have a question? Please email, call, or use the contact form to reach me.

I will respond within one business day.

In the event of an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

 

 

Search

© 2015-2023 Lisa Van Der Merwe, LCSW, PC, All Rights Reserved.