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Building Recovery on Building Recovery on a Foundation of a Foundation of

StrengthsStrengths

Bob Carty, LCSW, CADC, CCJPBob Carty, LCSW, CADC, CCJP

www.pctctraining.comwww.pctctraining.com

rcarty2003@yahoo.comrcarty2003@yahoo.com

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IntroductionIntroduction

Bob CartyBob Carty– 35 years in social services (child 35 years in social services (child

welfare, AODA, MH, and CJ)welfare, AODA, MH, and CJ)– Five years as Deputy Director of a state-Five years as Deputy Director of a state-

wide organization in Illinoiswide organization in Illinois– Seven years as a trainer/consultant, Seven years as a trainer/consultant,

visiting various parts of USAvisiting various parts of USA– Almost five years on Board of Directors Almost five years on Board of Directors

of my local community-based, recovery-of my local community-based, recovery-centered MHCcentered MHC

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Keynote GoalsKeynote Goals

Highlight advantages of using a Highlight advantages of using a strengths-based approachstrengths-based approach

Define “recovery capital” and give Define “recovery capital” and give examplesexamples

Describe implications of this model on Describe implications of this model on service delivery, supervision, service delivery, supervision, leadership development, and leadership development, and community relationscommunity relations

Keep everyone awake!!!Keep everyone awake!!!

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Strengths-Based Strengths-Based ProgrammingProgramming

Assesses the strengths and resources Assesses the strengths and resources of the individual, his/her family, the of the individual, his/her family, the staff, and the communitystaff, and the community

Utilizes these assets as the foundation Utilizes these assets as the foundation to provide high-quality services in to provide high-quality services in prevention, treatment, and recoveryprevention, treatment, and recovery

Focus on strengths is seen throughout Focus on strengths is seen throughout the organization, too the organization, too

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Why a Strengths-Based Why a Strengths-Based Approach?Approach?

Instills a sense of hope in the change Instills a sense of hope in the change processprocess

Reduces stigma and shameReduces stigma and shame Promotes ongoing development for Promotes ongoing development for

people served, their families, and people served, their families, and service providersservice providers

Enhances community collaborationsEnhances community collaborations

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Traditional Treatment ModelTraditional Treatment Model

Most treatment programs are based on a Most treatment programs are based on a medical modelmedical model

Emphasis is placed on…Emphasis is placed on…– DiagnosisDiagnosis– Problem identification (deficits, needs)Problem identification (deficits, needs)– Clinical interventions by staff members seen as Clinical interventions by staff members seen as

professional expertsprofessional experts Result may be increased power Result may be increased power

differential; re-enforcing shame, self-differential; re-enforcing shame, self-doubt, defensiveness, and stigma doubt, defensiveness, and stigma

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What Is Recovery Capital?What Is Recovery Capital?

“…“…internal and external resources internal and external resources that one can bring to initiate or that one can bring to initiate or sustain addiction recovery” (Granfield sustain addiction recovery” (Granfield and Cloud, 1999)and Cloud, 1999)

TypesTypes– Physical capitalPhysical capital– Human capitalHuman capital– Family/social capitalFamily/social capital– Community capitalCommunity capital

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Developing Developing Strengths-Based ProgramsStrengths-Based Programs

Strengths-based approach needs to Strengths-based approach needs to be woven throughout all program be woven throughout all program activitiesactivities– Service activitiesService activities– Supervisory activitiesSupervisory activities– Leadership development activitiesLeadership development activities– Community partnership activitiesCommunity partnership activities

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Service ActivitiesService Activities

Process beginning with intake and Process beginning with intake and continuing through dischargecontinuing through discharge

How well do you…How well do you…– Assess recovery capital?Assess recovery capital?– Co-create goal-oriented planning?Co-create goal-oriented planning?– Use affirmations?Use affirmations?– Tap into family support?Tap into family support?– Nurture the growth of recovery within Nurture the growth of recovery within

the community? the community?

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Supervisory ActivitiesSupervisory Activities

Supervision in traditional settings is Supervision in traditional settings is driven by the organizational chartdriven by the organizational chart– Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors– CEOCEO– Middle managersMiddle managers– SupervisorsSupervisors– Direct service staffDirect service staff– ClientsClients

Built upon “power over” othersBuilt upon “power over” others

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““Parallel Process”Parallel Process”

In clinical programs…how the In clinical programs…how the supervisor relates with the counselor supervisor relates with the counselor sets the stage for how the counselor sets the stage for how the counselor relates with the clientrelates with the client

Authoritative, mistrusting supervisors Authoritative, mistrusting supervisors tend to create authoritative, tend to create authoritative, mistrusting counselorsmistrusting counselors

Supportive supervisors tend to create Supportive supervisors tend to create supportive counselorssupportive counselors

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Strengths-Based Strengths-Based SupervisionSupervision

Focus on what is working, including Focus on what is working, including strengths and resources of the providers strengths and resources of the providers (prevention specialists, counselors, (prevention specialists, counselors, recovery support specialists, and recovery support specialists, and volunteers)volunteers)

Sees change as a collaborative processSees change as a collaborative process Models such values as…Models such values as…

– HonestyHonesty– Open-mindednessOpen-mindedness– RespectRespect– FlexibilityFlexibility– Creativity Creativity

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Leadership Development Leadership Development ActivitiesActivities

Strengths-based programs find ways Strengths-based programs find ways to encourage all of its people to to encourage all of its people to develop leadership qualitiesdevelop leadership qualities– People in recovery may be given an People in recovery may be given an

opportunity to serve on an advisory opportunity to serve on an advisory councilcouncil

– Support staff may be offered training to Support staff may be offered training to better understand recoverybetter understand recovery

– All staff may be recommended for special All staff may be recommended for special projects that meet their interests and/or projects that meet their interests and/or expand their skillsexpand their skills

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Community Partnership Community Partnership ActivitiesActivities

Strengths-based approach does not end at Strengths-based approach does not end at the doorsteps of our organizationsthe doorsteps of our organizations

Efforts can be made to build community-Efforts can be made to build community-based collaborations -- emphasizing based collaborations -- emphasizing cooperation, not competitioncooperation, not competition

Resources are sharedResources are shared– Working together to apply for grantsWorking together to apply for grants– Training opportunities for partnersTraining opportunities for partners– Offering space for community meetingsOffering space for community meetings– Co-sponsoring community eventsCo-sponsoring community events

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Closing CommentsClosing Comments

The power of helping others is The power of helping others is enhanced when we respect the enhanced when we respect the natural gifts that we havenatural gifts that we have

Strengths-based programs promote Strengths-based programs promote change and ongoing growth for all change and ongoing growth for all people people