Accentuate the Positive: Strengths-Based Therapy for Adolescents
Author Department
Psychiatry
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
12-2020
Abstract
Purpose: The field of psychiatry has conventionally employed a medical model in which mental health disorders are diagnosed and treated. However, the evidence is amassing that using a strengths-based approach that promotes wellness by engaging the patient's assets and interests may work in synergy with the medical model to promote recovery. This harmonizes with the patient-centered care model that has been promoted by the Institute of Medicine.
Methods: The article uses a clinical case to highlight the attributes of a strength-based model in the psychiatric treatment of adolescents.
Results: Outcome metrics from a number of studies have demonstrated enhanced youth and parent satisfaction and decreased use of hospital level of care with the implementation of strengths-based therapeutic modalities.
Implications: Incorporating strengths-based interventions into conventional psychiatric practice provides a multi-faceted treatment approach that promotes recovery in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders.
Keywords: Strengths-based; adolescent psychiatry; health promotion; patient-centered care; positive psychology.
Recommended Citation
Yuen E, Sadhu J, Pfeffer C, Sarvet B, Daily RS, Dowben J, Jackson K, Schowalter J, Shapiro T, Stubbe D; Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP) Child Committee. Accentuate the Positive: Strengths-Based Therapy for Adolescents. Adolesc Psychiatry (Hilversum). 2020 Dec 21;10(3):166-171. doi: 10.2174/2210676610666200225105529.
PMID
33859924