Finding alternative narratives using strength-based approaches in addressing mental health concerns of families and children in clinical practice
Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Working in a field where parents/carers often present 'broken children' or are broken and expect the clinician to be able to miraculously 'fix' them can be challenging. Finding ways of assisting them to put the pieces back together often requires CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) and other traditional styles of intervention. These are not always the most effective methods. When working with children, young people and families in a tertiary mental health setting it is often the problem saturated perspective that is the focus that consumes clinical practice. The person is not the problem; the problem is the problem and we are all part of the solution (White 2001). McMillan, Morris, and Sherraden (2004) and Cowger (1994) have shown that utilizing a strength based approach allows people to experience a sense of control to focus on all the aspects of their life rather than be defined as the negative presenting issue. Aspects such as survival skills, abilities, knowledge, resources and desires are discussed as a mechanism to assist this process (Saleebey 1996). This allows the clinician to both view and explore with the person their strengths instead of the problem. By doing this a more holistic productive therapeutic alliance between clinician and consumer/s occurs. The ability to assist families in changing perspective and to focus on their strengths that they already possess to build resilience and sustainability provides them with the opportunity of ownership and control over the situation. This chapter will discuss the importance of using strengths-based model and how it has been implemented in clinical practice.
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Advancing Social Work in Mental Health through Strengths-Based Practice
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978-1-312-23230-3
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14
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Primrose Hall
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Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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