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As a Peer Support Worker how would you help clients identify their STRENGTHS and RESOURCES?

Writer's picture: blakerhorsleyblakerhorsley

As a Peer Support Worker, helping clients identify their strengths and resources is an important part of the support process. Here are some strategies I would use:

  1. Active Exploration: Engage in open and exploratory conversations with the client to learn more about their skills, talents, and positive qualities. Ask questions that prompt reflection on their past successes, achievements, and moments when they felt empowered or resilient. Encourage them to share their stories and experiences.

  2. Strengths Assessment: Utilize formal or informal strengths assessments to identify the client's unique strengths and attributes. These assessments can help both the client and the support worker gain a better understanding of the client's abilities, values, and areas of expertise. Some common strengths assessments include the VIA Character Strengths Survey and the StrengthsFinder assessment.

  3. Reflective Listening and Affirmation: Actively listen to the client and provide affirmation and validation when they express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Reflect back to them the strengths and positive qualities you observe in their stories and interactions. This helps them recognize and acknowledge their own strengths.

  4. Skill Identification: Encourage the client to identify specific skills they possess, whether they are related to employment, hobbies, creative pursuits, problem-solving, or interpersonal relationships. Help them recognize how these skills can be applied to various aspects of their lives and support their recovery.

  5. Resource Mapping: Collaboratively create a resource map or inventory with the client. This involves identifying and documenting the various resources available to them, such as support networks, community organizations, treatment programs, educational opportunities, or financial assistance. Explore how these resources can be leveraged to support their goals and well-being.

  6. Peer Support and Feedback: Engage the client in peer support activities, such as group sessions or peer-led discussions, where they can interact with others who have similar experiences. Peer support provides an opportunity for clients to share their strengths, learn from others, and receive feedback that reinforces their abilities.

  7. Encourage Self-Reflection: Support the client in reflecting on their own experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. Guide them in recognizing how they have coped with difficulties in the past and what personal strengths they demonstrated during those times. Encourage journaling or self-reflection exercises to facilitate this process.

  8. Goal-Setting and Action Planning: Help the client link their strengths and resources to their recovery goals. Assist them in setting realistic and achievable goals that align with their strengths, values, and aspirations. Collaboratively develop action plans that leverage their resources and strengths to move toward these goals.

  9. Celebrate Progress: Continuously acknowledge and celebrate the client's progress, no matter how small. Highlight moments when their strengths and resources have contributed to positive outcomes or personal growth. This fosters a sense of empowerment, resilience, and motivation to continue utilizing their strengths.

By helping clients identify their strengths and resources, Peer Support Workers can support them in recognizing their own capabilities and resilience. This process empowers clients to utilize their strengths to overcome challenges, make positive changes, and achieve their recovery goals.




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