Strengths-Based Therapy: Connecting Theory, Practice and Skills

Combining both the theory and practice of strengths-based therapy, Elsie Jones-Smith introduces current and future practitioners to the modern approach of practice—presenting a model for treatment as well as demonstrations in clinical practice across a variety of settings. This highly effective form of therapy supports the idea that clients know best about what has worked and has not worked in their lives, helps them discover positive and effective solutions through their own experiences, and allows therapists to engage their clients in their own therapy.

Drawing from cutting-edge research in neuroscience, positive emotions, empowerment, and change, Strengths-Based Therapy helps readers understand how to get their clients engaged as active participants in treatment.


Table of Contents:
Part I Chapter 1: Strengths-Based Therapy Chapter 2: Human Strengths Theory: The Neuroscience and Relational Chapter 3: Strengths across Cultures Chapter 4: The Strengths-Based Therapy Model Chapter 5: Strengths-Based Assessment Part II Strengths-Based Recovery: Introduction to Part II, Practice Chapter 6: Strengths-Based Therapy and Families Chapter 7: Strengths-Based Therapy and Recovery in Mental Health Chapter 8: Strengths-Based Therapy, Addiction, and a Harm Reduction Approach Chapter 9: Strengths-Based School Counseling Chapter 10: Strengths-Based Therapy: “At-Risk or “At-Promise” Chapter 11: Strengths-Based Therapy in Correctional Settings Chapter 12: Strengths-Based Therapy and Older Adults References Index

About the Author :
Dr. Elsie Jones-Smith  is a licensed psychologist, a certified school psychologist, and the President of the Strengths-Based Institute. She holds two Ph.D. degrees, one in clinical psychology from Michigan State University and the other in counselor education from the University at Buffalo.  She is a Fellow in two divisions of the American Psychological Association, Division 17, the Society of Counseling Psychology, and Division 45, the Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race. She is a Diplomate in counseling psychology (ABPP), a Fellow of the Academy of Counseling Psychology, and a prior Distinguished Visitor for the American Psychological Association. Dr. Jones-Smith has extensive experience in strengths-based therapy, graduate level teaching, program evaluation (Head Start, Title –Chapter 1), tests construction, and psychological consultation with schools. Her clinical orientation is strengths-based. She has currently expanded her clinical work to include cultural neuroscience. She is the author of six books, including the recently published Culturally Diverse Counseling: Theories and Practice (Sage, 2019). Second Edition of Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: An Integrative Approach (2016) with Sage Publications (which presents a chapter on Neuroscience and describes it as the Fifth Force in psychology); Spotlighting the Strengths of Every Single Student: Why U.S. Schools Need a New, Strengths-Based Approach (2011, ABC-CLIO (2011); and Nurturing Nonviolent Children: A Guide for Parents, Educators, and Counselors (Praeger, 2008). Two of her articles (“The Strengths-Based Counseling Model” (which was nominated as the outstanding article in TCP for 2006) and “Ethnic Minorities: Life Stress, Social Support and Mental Health Issues” (1985) have been cited by The Counseling Psychologist as major contributions to the field of psychology. She has served on numerous editorial boards, including The Counseling Psychologist (TCP), The Journal of Counseling Psychology, and Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Jones-Smith has developed and published two theories in psychology: Strengths-Based Therapy and Ethnic Identity Development. In addition, she has developed a strengths-based educational approach for working with youth in schools and several instruments that measure ethnic identity development, students’ strengths, and teachers’ strengths.

Review :
This is an interesting book which encourages the reader to look at potential problems and situations from a positive perspective and also from different cultural and social perspectives...The concepts in this book apply equally well to teachers, parents and students. A strength-based approach has much to offer as part of a whole school approach to developing a positive culture.