Photo of Jennifer Jo Dahle Merrill, Licensed Professional Counselor in 78703, TX
Jennifer Jo Dahle Merrill
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, NCC
Verified Verified
Austin, TX 78703
Relationships can be a source of our greatest joy and sometimes our greatest sorrows. Being in relationship with others effectively, requires that you have a positive relationship with yourself. Maybe you're feeling depressed, anxious or angry and don’t understand why. Maybe you have negative beliefs about yourself or others that affect your decisions and relationships. Maybe you’ve felt disconnected or in conflict with your significant other, friends, or family. You may be finding yourself in a pattern of having the same conflicts over and over.
Relationships can be a source of our greatest joy and sometimes our greatest sorrows. Being in relationship with others effectively, requires that you have a positive relationship with yourself. Maybe you're feeling depressed, anxious or angry and don’t understand why. Maybe you have negative beliefs about yourself or others that affect your decisions and relationships. Maybe you’ve felt disconnected or in conflict with your significant other, friends, or family. You may be finding yourself in a pattern of having the same conflicts over and over.
(512) 778-0947 View (512) 778-0947
Strength-Based Therapists

How does strength-based therapy work?

During strength-based therapy sessions, the therapist will ask about an individual’s experiences of stress, pain, or trauma with the goal of orienting the client to view themselves as a survivor rather than a victim, and focusing on their strengths rather than on their weaknesses. In framing a client’s personal narrative along these lines, the therapist and client work together to identify existing skills that can be harnessed.

Is strength-based therapy evidence-based?

Strength-based therapy is an evidence-based treatment that has been studied extensively and shown to be effective across domains. The treatment has been found to be particularly effective in helping individuals who are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health concerns. Strength-based therapy has been used by therapists to help clients for more than 60 years.

How long does strength-based therapy last?

There’s no precise timeline for strength-based therapy. The duration of treatment depends on the individual’s specific needs and goals and the severity of their concerns. Some individuals may find they achieve their therapeutic goals quickly, while others might benefit from ongoing support and guidance in order to continue progressing.

How effective is strength-based therapy?

Clinical research and decades of practice have shown strength-based therapy to be an effective treatment to improve mental health and well-being for many conditions. The treatment can engender a sense of connection and collaboration between the therapist and the individual, fostering a positive therapeutic relationship. For individuals with narcissistic tendencies, strength-based therapy may be less effective, as the focus on the individual’s strengths may undermine the work needed to honestly assess the challenges the individual faces.