The Effectiveness of Strength Based Counseling Model to Improve Academic Hope in Students

Sometimes, it is difficult for a profession to move forward because its members interpret emerging conceptual models from the perspective of old frameworks. Each of the five reactants in this issue of The Counseling Psychologist interpreted the strength-based counseling model within their own self-adopted framework—Adlerian psychology, role strain theory, optimal development, self-efficacy, or wellness. Only one reactant had the courage to say that although counseling psychology has historically “talked the talk” about building strengths in individuals, it has steadily embraced the medical model. If counseling psychology is to go forward, we will need honest appraisals of what goals we have and have not accomplished. Strength-based counseling represents a paradigm shift in psychology from the deficit medical model to one that stresses clients’ strengths. The model will hopefully encourage the profession to act on its espoused commitment to strength development for individuals across the life span.

Download Full-text

The Strength-Based Counseling Model

The Counseling Psychologist ◽

10.1177/0011000005277018 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 13-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 163

Author(s):

Elsie J. Smith

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Protective Factors ◽

At Risk Youth ◽

Strength Assessment ◽

Strength Based ◽

Basic Concepts ◽

Counseling Model ◽

Strength Perspective ◽

And Training

This article proposes a strength-based model for counseling at-risk youth. The author presents the assumptions, basic concepts, and values of the strength perspective in counseling and offers strength categories as a conceptual model for viewing clients’ behavior. Propositions leading toward a theory of strength-based counseling and stages of this model are given, representative strength-based counseling techniques are examined, and a case study is used to illustrate risk factors, protective factors, and strength assessment. Ethical, research, and training implications of the strength-based model of counseling are discussed.

Download Full-text

Counseling Psychology and Strength-Based Counseling

The Counseling Psychologist ◽

10.1177/0011000005282371 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 90-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Peggy Kaczmarek

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Counseling Psychology ◽

At Risk Youth ◽

Research Needs ◽

Strength Based ◽

Counseling Model

The author provides a reaction to the proposed strength-based counseling model for at-risk youth. The Major Contribution initiates a dialogue about how to define strengths and how to operationalize a strength-based model of counseling. Discussing how this model adapts to adolescents by capitalizing on this developmental stage’s uniqueness would strengthen the model. In addition, research needs to test the model’s efficacy.

Download Full-text

Resilience, Meaning, and Well-Being

The Counseling Psychologist ◽

10.1177/0011000005282369 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 96-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Owen Richard Lightsey

Keyword(s):

Self Efficacy ◽

Meaning In Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Resilience ◽

Related Literature ◽

Therapeutic Benefits ◽

Strength Based ◽

Counseling Model

In this issue of The Counseling Psychologist, Smith presents an array of important strength-related literature and offers propositions, stages, and counseling recommendations to foster resilience among youth. This article argues, however, that the strength-based counseling model is not sufficiently operational or clearly distinguishable from other models and that more inclusion of the adult well-being literature could help to clarify key constructs and relationships among variables. The author proffers a focal operationalization of psychological resilience as generalized self-efficacy and discusses the importance of cultural moderators of resilience effects and meaning in life as a predictor of well-being. He recommends studying the incremental therapeutic benefits of strength-focused interventions.

Download Full-text