This case study describes the progress of an actual client receiving Strength-Centered Therapy (ST)1—a therapeutic model distinctively based on the positive psychology of character strengths2 and social constructionist perspectives on psychotherapy3. There are four phases in ST with relevant techniques1: (1) Explicitizing phase—identifying explicitly clients’ existing strengths; (2) Envisioning phase—encouraging clients to envision desired strengths they wish to develop; (3) Empowering phase—empowering clients to develop their desired strengths; (4) Evolving phase—motivating clients to develop strengths continuously in the termination stage of therapy. This study illuminates how ST works with a real client at a departmental clinic at a Predominantly White institution in the Midwest by providing an analysis of ST with a 20-year-old White female client, who described her presenting concerns of anxiety and depressive symptoms over a 6-month period.
A total of twelve therapy sessions and pre- and post-therapy interviews and assessments with the client were recorded and transcribed for data analysis. Data were analyzed qualitatively. Several ST therapeutic strategies were illustrated, and the client’s experience of therapy in four phases of ST was explored. After twelve therapy sessions, the client experienced better mental health, as indicated by elevated happiness (pre=14/28; post=16/28; measured by Subjective Happiness Scale4), improved psycho-socio-emotional wellbeing (pre=37/70; post=45/70; assessed by Mental Health Continuum—Short Form5), reduced depressive symptoms (pre=15/27; post=9/27; indicated by Patient Health Questionnaire-96), and decreased psychological symptoms (pre=104/180; post=48/180; indexed by Outcome Questionnaire-45.27), reaching clinical recovery. Overall, the client reached reliable, clinically significant changes8 in addition to clinical recovery7.
The current findings of this case provide research and clinical implications. This case study adds research evidence to the potential effectiveness of ST for individuals interested in cultivating own character strengths to address their presenting concerns. Clinically, the current findings suggest that clinicians could consider incorporating ST techniques to achieve an assimilative integration9.