ABSTRACT
After goal setting, in Phase IV, the worker's task is to explore the client's internal and external resources. In many cases, clients are not aware of their own capacity; some may have forgotten the potentials and abilities they once possessed or are unaware of useful resources available in their networks or in the community. Therefore, the worker has to help the client continuously to explore both his/her internal and external resources and raise his/her awareness of his/her own capacity to build a new, meaningful, and fruitful life.
Using two case examples, this chapter intends to illustrate how the Personal Strengths Assessment form, the Life Review Exercise, and other strategies in identifying community resources can be used to help a client discover his/her internal strengths and external resources in the recovery process. In applying these techniques, it is critical to engage the active participation of the client rather than directly providing them with information. Furthermore, the client may have other concerns that stop them from using the resources, and it is the worker's role to identify those barriers and find out ways to overcome those difficulties.
