The Strength-Based Approach
Therapy isn’t easy. You may find that statement to be true from your own experiences working with a therapist. Most people who have dissociative identity disorder (DID) understand that therapy is both beautiful yet at the same time dangerous.
There are many forms of psychotherapy, however, this article will focus on one form, strengths-based approach (SBA).
What is the Strengths-Based Approach?
All humans tend to focus on the negative events around us, but we lose touch with the positives in their lives. People struggling with DID often feel bad about themselves making it too easy to pay attention to the way their lives are positive.
The strengths-based approach focuses on your strengths and abilities instead of your problems and weaknesses. It is critical to healing that you learn to recognize your value and begin to benefit from your strengths.
The SBA helps to set up a positive mindset to help you benefit from your best qualities, improve your resilience, and change your worldview.
The Importance of Focusing on Strengths
Some therapists believe that speaking about their patient’s problems helps them to discover their inner strengths to tap into their abilities to find their own solutions. After all, therapists are just a sounding board and do not and will not share the solutions they have found in themselves.
Strengths-based approach is chosen as the therapy of choice because it focuses on strengths instead of weaknesses. The theory is based on the idea that all people have the capacity to build upon their resiliency and courage to become a thriving and happy human being.
Basically, too many people who have dissociative identity disorder find themselves performing self-harm rituals or trying to die by suicide. The trauma we experienced in childhood has filled our minds with the hurtful words and actions of our abusers.
Using a strengths-based approach in therapy helps survivors recognize the old tapes that keep playing the same horrible messages by replacing them with positive and uplifting thoughts.
Humanistic Psychotherapy
Humanistic psychotherapy concentrates on the whole person and the likelihood that they have the ability to live their lives to the fullest. First coming into focus in the 1950s, this approach is based on the teachings of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
Some basic principals of humanistic psychology include:
• Promoting an environment of empathy and respect
• Developing an increase your personal needs and freedom without walking on the rights of others
• Emphasizes empathy and positive regard
• Emphasizes how critical personal meaning and values are to healing
Great examples of humanistic psychotherapy is to help you take responsibility for your actions and living in the moment. Also a great example is that psychotherapists will promote a heightened awareness of yourself with body/mind integration.
Applications for the Strengths-Based Approach
The SBA in therapy works well with the humanistic approach. Some disorders that are treated with this type of methodology are depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse.
There are limitations to the effectiveness of the strengths-based approach such as promoting neglect of the person in therapy having their problems and challenges neglected. There is a risk of over-optimism and for survivors building unrealistic expectations as to what they expect their therapist treatment.
Although the strengths-based approach has gone mainstream, it is not considered evidence-based because so little research has been done to consolidate it as an acceptable form of therapy.
Ending Our Time Together
The strengths-based approach has been a vital part of my healing. It may sound crazy, useless, and condescending what I did to promote my brain to think more positively about myself. In short, I looked up positive affirmations on my computer and wrote them down in a huge notebook. Hearing and reading positive affirmations are fine, but physically writing them down had an enormous effect on my psyche.
If that approach doesn’t work for you, that’s fine. Look for methods you can use to increase your healthy positive regard for yourself.
If your therapist doesn’t use the strengths-based approach, ask them to do some research and google searches to help them better understand what it is.
Some positive affirmations you may try.
“I am enough”
“I am proud of myself”
“I believe in myself”
“I am capable of so much”
“I deserve love and respect”
“I am safe and cared for”
“I am healing and strengthening every day”
Good luck with your healing journey.
References
Rashid, T. (2015). Positive psychotherapy: A strength-based approach. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(1), 25-40.
Zimmerman, M. A. (2013). Resiliency theory: A strengths-based approach to research and practice for adolescent health. Health Education & Behavior, 40(4), 381-383.