Strengths-based Therapy

Strengths-Based Therapy: Distinctive Features offers an introduction to what is distinctive about this innovative client-directed approach. Written by two experienced practitioners of strengths-based therapies, this book translates SBT principles and practices into concise, evidence-based ideas and techniques that mental health practitioners can immediately apply on the job. Using the popular Distinctive Features format, this book describes 15 theoretical features and 15 practical techniques of Strengths-Based Therapy. Strengths-Based Therapy will be a valuable resource for psychotherapists, clinical, health and counselling psychologists, counsellors, psychiatrists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and all who wish to know more about this unique approach to therapy.

John J. Murphy, Professor of Psychology at the University of Central Arkansas (USA), is an internationally recognised clinician and trainer of client-directed, strengths-based therapies. His books have been translated into multiple languages and he has trained thousands of helping professionals throughout the world. Jacqueline A. Sparks is a Professor of Couple and Family Therapy in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Rhode Island (USA). She has written and trained extensively on the use of systematic client feedback in psychotherapy to promote client voice and choice.

Foreword, Preface, Acknowledgements, Abbreviations Part 1 DISTINCTIVE THEORETICAL FEATURES OF SBT 1 History of SBT 2 SBT as trans-theoretical and value added 3 Clients as heroes of change 4 SBT as client directed 5 SBT and therapist factors 6 SBT and the therapeutic alliance 7 SBT and hope 8 SBT and social constructionism 9 SBT language and practices 10 SBT and diagnosis 11 SBT as systemic 12 Cultural considerations in SBT 13 Social justice and SBT 14 SBT and client feedback 15 Challenges of SBT practice Part 2 DISTINCTIVE PRACTICAL FEATURES OF SBT 16 Being respectfully curious 17 Validating clients 18 Instilling hope 19 Exploring clients' theories of change 20 Exploring clients' desired future 21 Recruiting client resources 22 Listening for change 23 Asking resilience and coping questions 24 Building on exceptions 25 Co-creating new stories 26 Using between-session strategies 27 Collecting systematic client feedback 28 Creating strengths-based work environments 29 Integrating SBT into training and supervision 30 Acting for social justice Appendix A, References, Index, Figures.