Social Work: What Does it Mean to Be Strengths-Based?
In social work we talk a lot about being a strengths-based profession and doing strengths-based work but what does that really mean?
Strengths-based refers to looking for or prioritizing the strengths of an:
• individual
• dyad, couple, or partnership
• family
• community
• agency
• school
• other system
When we are assessing for strengths, we may ask ourselves questions like:
• What is going well for this individual?
• What is working?
• How has this system (or organization) thrived through difficulties?
• What is working for this family/couple?
• What values have helped them to overcome problems?
• What coping skills have helped the client in the past?
The social worker is consistently looking for strengths that the client can draw upon.
Here’s an example of finding those strengths during a risk assessment after a suicide attempt:
Kayla is being initially assessed by a hospital social worker named Cass. Kayla overdosed on alprazolam and a glass of wine after an argument with her boyfriend and sent a text to him and another friend that read, “I just can’t do this. I can’t do life. Please forgive me.” Thankfully, Kayla received medical attention quickly and was relaxed but still tearful when Cass met with her three hours after she was brought to the emergency room by her boyfriend.
Cass—who has had extensive training in trauma-informed care—took the time to listen to Kayla so that she could understand more about the relationship between her and her boyfriend. The social worker learned that financial problems were the catalyst for the argument. Kayla recently started a new job but would not receive her first paycheck in time to pay her portion of the rent on the first of the month.
She said that, at first, she thought her boyfriend might be mad at her for not being able to pay her share of their shared apartment but then became argumentative when he suggested that she borrow money from her parents. Kayla said that, in that moment, she didn’t feel loved by her boyfriend. She stated that her anxiety intensified over the next several hours until she locked herself in their bathroom and made the suicide attempt.
As the assessment continued, Cass was able to identify several strengths:
• The client described her relationship with her boyfriend as “good” and said that they rarely fought. She insisted that this argument was unusual for the couple who had been together for the past six months. Kayla also stated that she is physically and emotionally safe in the relationship.
• The client had already been in touch with her supervisor via text to let her know that she had an unspecified medical emergency but would be back to work soon. Her supervisor was understanding and said that her job would be waiting for her when she was medically cleared to return to work.
• The client had two friends who came to the hospital and were waiting to see her.
• The client is open to a referral to a local therapist so that she can learn coping skills to help manage her anxiety.
Cass’ ability to identify Kayla’s strengths help her to make ethically appropriate recommendations for follow-up care. The careful documentation of those strengths in the hospital’s electronic health record help other health care professionals so that they can provide better care for Kayla.
Finding Strengths in Social Work Practice
Finding strengths is sometimes more of an art than a science. The first step is to listen for those strengths.
When we allow clients to have the room they need to share their stories, we help to honor the dignity and worth of that individual. Often clients are not able to identify strengths in their lives but a social worker may be able to help reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and resiliency. When the social worker can communicate those strengths, they help to empower their clients.
identifying strengths doesn’t mean that we ignore problems
Being a strengths-based professional doesn’t mean that we ignore or dismiss problems. Instead, the social worker will look for a healthy balance of strengths and weaknesses rather than focusing only on problems or deficits. Furthermore, the social worker will consistently communicate those strengths to the client as a way to demonstrate an understanding of the individual as a whole person—not just an individual who needs a social worker.
How are you demonstrating your commitment to finding client strengths in your work?