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Research Article
Strength-based assessment in clinical practice†
Article first published online: 17 MAR 2009
DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20595
© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Rashid, T. and Ostermann, R. F. (2009), Strength-based assessment in clinical practice. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65: 488–498. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20595
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 1 APR 2009
- Article first published online: 17 MAR 2009
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- strengths;
- clinical assessment;
- positive psychology;
- psychopathology;
- deficits;
- well-being
Abstract
Strength-based assessment can enhance clinical clarity, improve the range of information, and provide a more complete picture of clients and their circumstances. Deficit-oriented assessment has improved the assessment and treatment of a number of disorders but, at the same time, has created a negative bias, considered strengths as clinical peripheries or by-products, tended to reduce clients to diagnostic categories, and created a power differential, which could be counterproductive to clinical efficacy. Strength-based assessment explores weaknesses as well as strengths to effectively deal with problems. We present a number of strength-based strategies for use in clinical practice. These strategies, we hope, will help clinicians to operationalize how strengths and weaknesses reverberate and contribute to a client's psychological status, which is comprehensive and guards against negative bias. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 65: 1–11, 2009.