Open Search
Open Navigation

If there was ever a group who could benefit from a strengths-based approach to psycholgical well-being, it is people with disabilities. But, ironically, such individuals have been marginalized and stereotyped for decades. Michael Wehmeyer's edited text, The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology and Disability, offers a welcomed shift.

In their PsycCRITIQUES review of the book, Kara Ayers and Stephanie Weber highlight the importance of bringing positive psychology approaches to both research studies and clinical practice with people with disabilities. They observe,

The contributions of positive psychology to professionals who work with individuals with disabilities are immense, as the paradigm shift from deficit-based to strengths-based models could significantly improve treatment outcomes as well as the general attitudes of society. (section Pitfalls and Limitations, para. 3)

What are the necessary ingredients for a practitioner to make this paradigm shift from a deficit-based to a strengths-based approach with individuals with disabilities? How can this be sustained? If a paradigm shift can be achieved with practitioners, could it eventually impact societal attitudes?

Is there any benefit to taking a deficit-based approach to people with disabilities? Can one still be a good clinician if one overlooks a strengths-based approach among people with disabilities?

What are the most important strengths to help people with disabilities capitalize on? Skill-based strengths, external strengths (e.g., resources), talents/abilities, character strengths...all of the above?

 

Read the Review

Approaching Disability From a Strengths-Based Perspective
By Kara Ayers and Stephanie Weber
PsycCRITIQUES, 2014 Vol 59(12)

You might also like

Back to Blog
Learn More
therapist talking to a couple

Pros and Cons of Being a Marriage and Family Therapist

There are numerous reasons people seek a marriage and family therapist. Among them are improving their family relationships or...

Learn More
woman talking in group meeting

How to Become an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

If you love both commerce and psychology, it can be hard to choose between the two when deciding on a career path. Both fields can...

Learn More
woman explaining to two co-workers

Change Management vs. Change Leadership: Key Differences

In today’s highly competitive business environment, adapting to change is often what separates successful companies from...

Request Information

  • 1
    Current Select Interests
  • 2
    Provide Information