Which approach emphasizes the client's strengths and capabilities?

The strengths-based approach is centered around the idea of recognizing and harnessing the strengths and capabilities of the client rather than focusing solely on their problems or deficits. This perspective promotes empowerment, allowing clients to take an active role in their recovery and development.

In practice, this approach involves identifying and building upon the individual’s inherent strengths, such as their skills, resources, relationships, and resilience. It encourages clients to visualize their goals and the positive aspects of their lives, creating a more hopeful and constructive framework for addressing challenges. This method is particularly effective in addiction social work, where empowering clients to see their potential can enhance motivation for change and foster a sense of agency.

The other approaches, such as the problem-focused and traditional assessment approaches, typically concentrate on identifying and analyzing issues rather than uplifting clients by acknowledging their strengths. The behavioral approach focuses more on observable behaviors and the modification of those behaviors through various interventions, rather than emphasizing a holistic view of the individual that includes their strengths.