A Strengths-Based Approach for Intervention with At-Risk Youth

By focusing attention on what is right with youth rather than what is wrong with them, the strengths-based approach to intervening with youth avoids negative outcomes commonly associated with deficit- or problem-based interventions. This book provides an accessible outline of the strengths-based approach and details 41 interventions across several strengths domains.

Practitioners in school, clinical, and community settings will find the book's numerous case examples, practical suggestions, and reproducible forms and handouts invaluable in the provision of day-to-day youth services.

Click on the More Info button for an interview with the author, Kevin M Powell.

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Table of Contents

Part 1: Overview of a Strengths-Based Approach

1. Strengths-Based Approach: What, When, How, Where, Why?
2. Evidence-Based Support
3. Thinking Back to Childhood Experiences
4. Holistic Perspective: Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention
5. Promoting Resiliency in Youth
6. Motivating and Engaging Youth
7. Enhancing Youths’ Openness and Honesty

Part 2: Strengths-Based Interventions

8. Strengths-Based Interventions: An Overview
9. Relationship Development
10. Optimistic Attitude Development
11. Asset Development
12. Prosocial Development
13. Intellectual Development
14. Provider Development

"Dr. Powell’s 41 strengths-based interventions provide well-supported and practical strategies that illuminate the science and art of working with at-risk youth. This book is a ‘must read’ for new therapists, clinical supervisors, and experienced therapists who need a fresh and optimistic perspective."
- Tom Leversee, LCSW, Colorado Division of Youth Corrections

"An excellent book for those starting out in this field, it is also a wonderful reminder to those of us who have been around for some time of the importance of ensuring that our approaches continue to help build resilience in our young clients through strengths-based work and interventions."
- Russ Pratt, Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne, Australia

"Dr. Kevin Powell has used his experience with adolescent youth to write a very readable and comprehensive review of a strengths-based approach. Dr. Powell has both reviewed the literature on strengths-based interventions and given us concrete examples from his own clinical experience regarding these principles. The new practitioner, as well as youth service providers from many disciplines (mental health therapists, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, direct care residential staff, caseworkers, probation and parole officers, judges, attorneys, and police officers) will find the book very useful in that it illuminates the basic ideas underlying strengths-based interventions and provides useful clinical insights. The reader will come away with a solid perspective on this very important approach to intervention."
- Ernest L. Chavez, PhD, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University