ABSTRACT
In recent years, there have been philosophical and applied shifts in the practice of counseling, couples/marital and family therapy, and psychology. Many practitioners have moved from the medical model, which highlighted pathology, to one that encourages the development of assets (Smith, 2006). Strengths-based work, which historically dates back to several early social workers (Healy, 2005; Rapp, 1997; Saleebey, 2002), is representative of this shift as it is concerned with focusing on individuals’ strengths instead of deficiencies. The goal of the strengths-based approach is for the individual to identify and apply the skills and strengths he, she, or they currently possesses to areas of life that pose challenges.
