It is really helpful (and effective!) to work with and support a young person with a ‘strengths-based’ approach. To do this means to frame situations and discussions about problems around the young person’s strengths and resources.
Often students may feel that they do not have many strengths or resources. It is important to help them self-identify what these are and to use these as reference points in your work with them (i.e. “You know that you are very resilient, how do you think this resilience will help you get through the current situation?”).
In order for the young person to be able to identify these things, it is worthwhile spending time identifying and documenting their own strengths and resources. Try this worksheet to help a student identify strengths in particular aspects of their lives.
It is important that the young person feels their strengths and resources are authentic.
It is also helpful to notice and feed feed back to the young person strengths of theirs you have identified (i.e.: “I am really impressed at your ability to keep a positive attitude in light of what has happened” etc.). It is important that the strengths that you have identified are authentic.
Boosting protective factors is likely to have an impact on a range of issues simultaneously.
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YoDAA is a free and confidential online and phone service that offers supports to young people, families and professionals. You can contact 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.