The Centrality of Character Strengths and How to Use Them in Positive Psychotherapy

Abstract

Character strengths are universal traits that are valued in their own right and do not necessarily lead to instrumental outcomes. Throughout the course of positive psychotherapy, the clinician actively looks for events, experiences, and expressions of strengths in the lives of clients. These may manifest through abilities, skills, talents, capacities, and aptitudes that can be nurtured in order to cope with and potentially buffer against psychological disorders. The most critical aspect of a strengths-based therapeutic approach is a contextualized use of strengths, which keeps presenting problems and symptoms front and center. Strengths can be assessed early in the therapeutic process. Systematic assessment of character strengths, in addition to symptoms, will enrich clinical understanding.