The strengths approach is relevant and effective in the field of social work. It builds on the strengths of a person and thus empowers them, this in-turn helps that person to think more positively and it is realised that they are able to cope with difficult situations (Geldard, Geldard and Foo, 2017). Interpersonal skills are essential in providing affective services such as counselling. Some of these skills are building rapport, effective listening, paraphrasing and summarising and using appropriate tools, Geldard et al., 2017).
I begin my interview with rapport building, checking how Katrina is and how she has been since the last time I saw her (time, 0:00). I describe what we are doing today, Geldard et al. (2017) explain the importance …show more content…
The strength based approach believes that learning and growth comes from our existing strengths and capacity by identifying them we “expose the stories that contradict negative and unhelpful beliefs” (p. 39). We can then see how the future might be and what we need to do to achieve it. Self-esteem and confidence increase, in turn bringing hope and thus assisting the road to change (Geldard et al., 2017). Groopman (2005) explains that (as cited in The Strengths Perspective) “Hope helps us to overcome hurdles that we otherwise could not scale, and it moves us forward to a place where healing can occur” (p.102). MaCashen (2017) “The strengths approach brings hope by making explicit connections between stories of strengths, growth and change, and aspirations for a brighter future” (p. 69).
I use self-disclosure to normalise Katrina’s behaviour, looking critically at the recording I believe it would have been better to talk less here (time, 5:22). Whilst it is important to self-disclose it needs to be used sparingly, the focus needs to stay with issues of the person seeking help (Geldard et al., 2017). Geldard et al. (2017) explain that by normalising a situation/action you are enabling the person to think differently about the situation, which in turn can alter their thinking and emotional state. This can enable them to “move forward and make useful decisions”
I begin my interview with rapport building, checking how Katrina is and how she has been since the last time I saw her (time, 0:00). I describe what we are doing today, Geldard et al. (2017) explain the importance …show more content…
The strength based approach believes that learning and growth comes from our existing strengths and capacity by identifying them we “expose the stories that contradict negative and unhelpful beliefs” (p. 39). We can then see how the future might be and what we need to do to achieve it. Self-esteem and confidence increase, in turn bringing hope and thus assisting the road to change (Geldard et al., 2017). Groopman (2005) explains that (as cited in The Strengths Perspective) “Hope helps us to overcome hurdles that we otherwise could not scale, and it moves us forward to a place where healing can occur” (p.102). MaCashen (2017) “The strengths approach brings hope by making explicit connections between stories of strengths, growth and change, and aspirations for a brighter future” (p. 69).
I use self-disclosure to normalise Katrina’s behaviour, looking critically at the recording I believe it would have been better to talk less here (time, 5:22). Whilst it is important to self-disclose it needs to be used sparingly, the focus needs to stay with issues of the person seeking help (Geldard et al., 2017). Geldard et al. (2017) explain that by normalising a situation/action you are enabling the person to think differently about the situation, which in turn can alter their thinking and emotional state. This can enable them to “move forward and make useful decisions”