Strengths-based practice offers a “new paradigm” that focuses on resources and resilience, opportunities and solutions, rather than on problems or pathologies (Hammond, 2010, p. 3). Especially efficacious for young adults like Ifemelu, strengths-based practice is grounded in resiliency theory. Resiliency theory shows how building assets like self-esteem and self-confidence, plus leveraging external resources like social networks in the community, helps reduce risk and promote desired outcomes (Zimmerman, 2013). Ifemelu can benefit from a strengths-based approach for several reasons. For one, she would respond best to a therapeutic intervention that focuses less on the past due to the persistency of trauma and how it has fueled her depression and social detachment. Focusing on the trauma may encourage Ifemelu to engage in self-destructive habits like self-blame. Using a strengths-based approach, Ifemelu can focus more on how she can move forward and envision her future, perhaps becoming an advocate for women in Nigeria. There are several different types of strengths-based treatment interventions, one of which is strengths-based cognitive-behavioral therapy. Padesky & Mooney (2012) offer the strengths-based cognitive behavioral therapy model to “help clients build positive qualities” and “build and strengthen personal resilience,” (p. 283). The emphasis with strengths-based cognitive behavioral therapy is on resiliency and other internal factors, rather than focusing on resolving specific external problems (Padesky & Mooney, 2012). Given Ifemelu’s uncertain future, it would be feasible for her to focus on cultivating core strengths and psychological resilience, including self-efficacy and self-confidence. When she travels to Nigeria, she can then leverage her internal strengths in any situation that might arise, leading her to forge strategic alliances with members of the community and support groups to help engender a sense of trust she may have lost since experiencing trauma.

Research has shown that strengths-based therapeutic interventions as a whole are effective at alleviating the symptoms and depression and promoting peace of mind...

When therapists are uncertain about the efficacy of a specific strengths-based model, they can use instruments like the Strengths-Based Practices Inventory (SBPI), which tests for cultural competency and other issues that might impede the ability for an intervention to help the client (Green, McAllister, & Tarte, 2004). The use of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 also makes sense for Ifemelu because this instrument has been evaluated for its construct validity and reliability (Kroenke, Spitzer, Williams, et al., 2010). However, the relevance of the PHQ-9 on diverse populations necessitates the use of alternative means of assessment during Ifemelu’s treatment. Strengths-based approaches in general, though, have been successful when used with a “wide range of populations,” (Pattoni, 2012, p. 1). Therefore, the combination of strengths-based cognitive-behavioral therapy with carefully chosen assessments will be appropriate for Ifemelu.
Strengths-based approaches generally involve three stages including the identification of talents, skills, or assets, followed by a change in self-concept, finally followed by behavioral change (Hodges, n.d.). The identification of skills is something that encourages Ifemelu to build on her strength of self-awareness, which she exemplifies on her blog and in her interactions with therapists thus far. Verbalizing or writing down her strengths will help her to re-introduce those concepts into her overall sense of self-, thereby replacing any negative self-talk she might have acquired over the years since the trauma. Behavioral change is in Ifemelu’s case not the main focus, but certainly the client wishes to be more socially engaged with renewed enthusiasm for her life and the future.

Combining the strengths-based approach with cognitive-behavioral therapy, which also aims ultimately for changes in behavior, therefore makes sense. In Ifemelu’s case, the behaviors themselves are not necessarily problematic: she is not a substance abuser and remains inspired by academia and her professional path. However, her depression and anxiety have been described by…