Dr. Venkat Pulla Strengths Perspective 2014 Conversations

Social work and human services professions gain great outcomes when they work with inherent strengths of individuals, families groups and organisations. Whenever we assist people in their recovery and their empowerment our commitment to build on these inherent strengths goes a long way. This approach lets us refrain from using any damaging and labeling and stigmatized language. Descriptions ascribed pathology owned by persons groups and organisations that suggest acceptance of their condition as being hopeless or helpless to change are constructively challenged through this practice. We have a great opportunity here to foster hope from within and by constantly focusing and working with precedent successes, we could see change by asking small questions: what has worked for the clients before? What does not work for them? And what might work in the present situation? These three questions allow facilitators and clients to make important changes in the processes and goals of engagement that allows the desired changes to blossom. In this paper the author describes this approach in social work and expands on its assumptions and its core elements.

Key words: resilience, strengths based practice, strengths approach, social work