By Malynn Kuangparichat, Psy.D., J.D.
One major reason why you may not be willing to seek therapy is because you’re afraid that therapy will point out all your weaknesses, shortcomings, and failures. You’re afraid that all your insecurities will be revealed, and there’s an impending sense of guilt and shame that you need to be “fixed.”
But you’re having difficulties and challenges in your life, and you’re stuck. You’re not sure how to move forward to address your presenting concerns.
Getting therapy isn’t, in a sense, opening Pandora’s Box. In actuality, therapy and counseling is a safe, supportive space that serves to empower you.
So, take a breath.
Know that you’re starting from exactly the perfect place, right here and now. You can start from a guilt-free space. You already possess the inner qualities and strengths to support you through personal or professional difficulties.
Now, what you need is a therapist that uses a strength-based approach to draw out these positive qualities and help you see the resources around you to move forward with empowerment and hope.
What is Strength-Based Therapy
With strength-based therapy, you are the agent of change for yourself, to write your own story, even when challenges arise.
It’s solution-focused with a roadmap to your goals.
In therapy terms, it’s an approach used in talk therapy based on positive psychology. If used expertly, strength-based therapy doesn’t play into toxic positivity, but instead plays into a person’s positive qualities in a nonjudgmental and safe environment.
Who is Strength-Based Therapy For
Strength-based therapy can be used for individuals who are seeking support in tackling their personal or professional challenges at home or work. It can also be beneficial for couples and families looking to improve their communication and relationships. Youths such as young children and teens benefit from strength-based therapy who have low self-esteem or confidence.
At the clinical level, this therapy approach has shown to be effective for people diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Additionally, this therapy approach can be used effectively when someone has experienced trauma.
Benefits of Strength-Based Therapy
When used in conjunction with other evidence-based techniques, strength-based therapy has many benefits.
Besides helping you tap into your positive qualities, strength-based therapy shows you how to reframe your thinking. These mindset shifts help you notice the ways you’re thinking about a situation.
What’s more, a professional mental health provider can support you in adjusting your language when you encounter a difficulty.
For example, instead of seeing something as a problem, you can reframe it to see it as a challenge. When viewed from this perspective, you can rise up to the challenge and see yourself as an empowered choice maker instead of from a victim standpoint.
In addition, strength-based therapy improves resiliency and builds self-esteem and confidence. When you know your strengths and you’re placed in a position as the storyteller of your pain, you have the control to approach challenges as an agent of change in your own life.
It’s also important to note what is within your power to control. If there are systems of power in place that aren’t actually serving the people it’s supposed to serve, then this needs to be taken into account within your therapy sessions.
What’s the Next Step For You
If you’re looking for a strength-based therapist, it’s important to find one who you feel comfortable with and takes in your concerns with compassion.
I’ve outlined some tips here when you’re looking for a strength-based therapist that fits you and your presenting concerns. Feel free to read more tips on how to find a therapy practice in my blog post here.
When speaking to a therapist for initial consultation, notice if they’re approaching you within a collaborative, nonjudgmental, and supportive space.
Some therapists use a psychological evaluation or assessment to not only diagnose, but create a treatment plan customized to your strengths and mental health needs.
In your initial consultation, you can ask how goals are set for your therapy sessions.
You can also take into consideration an expert therapist who understands that culture and power dynamics may play a role in your life.
They use a variety of approaches, such as cognitive behavior therapy, customized to your needs and presenting concerns while also providing strategies and techniques that are a good fit for you.
Essentially, a therapist using the strength-based therapy approach can guide you in using your personal strengths as signposts when you encounter difficulties within your day.
Consider Working With Us
At CCWB, our clinicians provide high quality therapy sessions using a variety of approaches including the strength-based therapy approach. We value collaboration and compassion when working with our clients. In addition to our quality work, we consider your input in every step of the psychological evaluation process, even up to a diagnosis.
If you’re ready to take that first step in empowering your journey to well-being, please contact us here.
Contact Us
Here at CCWB, we value our clients and acknowledge the courage it takes to seek professional mental health support.
Chester County Well-Being (CCWB) provides a range of mental health services to ensure we meet our community’s needs. We serve individuals, couples, and families in the Chester County area. Reach out to us here.
Our specializations include:
- Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
- Work and Career issues
- Stress Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Couples Counseling
- Family Counseling
- Parenting Support
- Grief Counseling
- Addiction & Recovery
Teletherapy
All our clinicians provide safe and secure teletherapy sessions to anyone residing in PA. Additionally, we provide telehealth options for residents of other states, depending on the clinician. Simply head to our About Us page, and click each clinician’s “read more” tab for telehealth details.
Telepsychology services are provided by Dr. Kuangparichat and Dr. Stern to clients who reside in a state that participates in PSYPACT. Find out if your state is on the list of participating states HERE.
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About the Author
Malynn Kuangparichat (Psy.D., J.D.) is founder and psychologist at Chester County Well-Being.
She has a collaborative approach that results in highly tailored evaluations intended to meet her clients’ unique needs. She focuses on an individual’s strengths, which are integrated in the practical, personalized recommendations identified by the findings of an evaluation.
In her free time, she enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, and getting ice cream or doughnuts from the local shops.