By Tom Stewart M.A. LLP
If you missed it, the Michigan Chapter of ATSA hosted a virtual training with Kevin Powell, Ph.D. His presentation focused on strengths-based concepts and interventions for sex offense-specific services. A strength-based approach moves the focus away from the deficits of people with sexual behavior problems and focuses on the strengths and resources at their disposal. There is a basic assumption that all human beings have an inherent capacity to learn, grow and transform their lives. This approach is impactful for clients as it reduces shame by focusing on resilience and targeting barriers that impede progress. For clinicians, it increases the chances of fostering a therapeutic alliance, helps prevent power struggles, and can aid in preventing clinician burnout.
The strength-based approach has a strong emphasis on protective factors. A protective factor is a condition or attribute (e.g., skill, strength, resource, support, or coping strategy) in individuals that helps them deal more effectively with stressful events and mitigate risk for future criminal behavior. There is an emphasis on recognizing what is right with clients, being proactive, and helping them identify what to do versus what not to do. A strength-based approach does not ignore risk. Rather, it works to create an environment where difficult topics can be discussed by maintaining optimism and acknowledging that every client has strengths.
Dr. Powell provided an engaging and practical presentation that included specific strategies and interventions as well as research that validate this approach. He has authored several book chapters focusing on strengths-based approaches and written a book entitled, A Strengths-Based Approach for Intervention with At-Risk Youth (2015). A compilation of his publications can be found at https://www.kevinpowellphd.com/publications-1