Strengths-based group practice: Three case studies

As the strengths perspective becomes a key influence in social work, illustrations and applications that inform practice must be provided. Group work has long been accepted as an important modality that is closely aligned with the strengths perspective. This article takes a case study approach by illustrating and exploring strengths-based applications in a single-parent group and in two groups for children and youth placed in a residential treatment facility. The examples demonstrate how drawing on the strengths perspective led to successful groups in settings that had otherwise been experiencing poor attendance, premature termination, and pervasive negativity.