THE RESILIENCE THEORY and HOW IT WORKS
We believe the highlight of a person's strengths will discourage a focus on "what I can't do." Our youth hear daily what that cannot achieve and who they cannot become because of their past. When they discover their strengths and what they can achieve, surround them with supports (village), it makes goal setting easier. Now we hear careers other than "professional sports!"
The Resilience Theory says: “it is difficult to mentor or intervene for a youth who is having problems in one area to address just that one area. You will not be effective. When working with youth, it is necessary to address the full spectrum or cover each primary domain (family, school, peers).”
The Resilience Theory
The Resilience Theory
- The capacity of child to meet a challenge
- To overcome obstacles using coping skills
- Involvement in a social setting that promotes accomplishment
- Introduction to activities promoting positive reinforcement
- Sees failure as helpful feedback and change course
- Uses a strength-based approach to meet needs
New Life at the Crossroads Institute Inc. uses Motivational Interview techniques to help youth determine their strengths. Sometimes at-risk youth can be combative or confrontational when unwilling to discuss change. Motivational Interview techniques “draw out” strength-based responses instead of the negative, problem promoting words that lead to unwanted behavior. Motivational Interviews assume that all youth are entitled to be treated with respect because of their essential worth as human beings. This is consistent with a strengths-based perspective of the Resilient Theory.
Motivational Interviewing…
A person-centered, directive approach that emphasizes listening for ways to direct the interaction toward positive talk...
Accesses internal motivation for change using a person-centered approach which emphasizes empathy, optimism, and respect for individual choice...
Uses affirmations that empower individuals using language asserting their strengths...
Uses reflective listening skills when asking these questions;
*For informational purposes only and not intended to be used for therapeutic functions. Information taken from The Resiliency Theory: a Literature Review, by Adrian DuPlessis Van Breda; A Guide for Motivating Change, by Scott Walters, PH.D.
Motivational Interviewing…
A person-centered, directive approach that emphasizes listening for ways to direct the interaction toward positive talk...
Accesses internal motivation for change using a person-centered approach which emphasizes empathy, optimism, and respect for individual choice...
Uses affirmations that empower individuals using language asserting their strengths...
Uses reflective listening skills when asking these questions;
- Survival questions. “How have you managed to survive?”
- Support questions. “Who has been especially helpful to you in the past?”
- Exception questions. “When things were going well in life, what was different?”
- Possibility questions. “What now do you want out of life?”
- Esteem questions. “When people say good things about you, what are they likely to say?”
*For informational purposes only and not intended to be used for therapeutic functions. Information taken from The Resiliency Theory: a Literature Review, by Adrian DuPlessis Van Breda; A Guide for Motivating Change, by Scott Walters, PH.D.