A Strengths Perspective in Working with an Adolescent with Self-cutting Behaviors

This paper describes the use of a strengths perspective in working with an adolescent with self-cutting behavior. While a disease model stresses diagnosis, labeling, medication, control, and manipulation; a strengths perspective advocates understanding of feelings and meaningfulness behind symptoms, identifying needs, and developing abilities, facilitating interpersonal communication, and building a better social environment for the adolescent client with self-cutting behaviors. A case example demonstrates this approach.Prof. Kam-shing Yip is a Professor, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.