| dc.description.abstract | Scholars in the field of counseling psychology have called for the implementation of positive psychology, specifically through emphasis on client strengths and resources (Seligman, 2002). Researchers and clinicians suggest the use of a strengths-based approach with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary (LGBT/NB) clients in order to buffer against minority stress (Meyer, 2003). Furthermore, emphasizing LGBT/NB client strengths challenges the historical focus on deficits of sexual and gender minoritized individuals in psychology research and practice (Vaughan & Rodriquez, 2014). Scholars have specifically recommended that clinicians working with LGBT/NB clients include questions about strengths on the intake form (Lytle, Vaughan, Rodriguez, & Shmerler, 2014; Owens, Magyar-Moe, Lopez, 2015). However, after an exhaustive review of the literature, the author was unable to find any evaluation of the self-reported strengths of LGBT/NB clients at intake. This dearth of literature suggests that little is known about the way in which LGBT/NB clients identify their strengths and report them on intake forms. This study examined reported strengths from intake forms at a counseling clinic in a community setting. A research team of four conducted qualitative analysis of these strengths using a Consensual Qualitative Research - Modified (CQR-M) approach (Spangler, Liu, & Hill, 2014). A total of 173 strengths from 64 individual participants were coded into domains and categories. Six domains and four categories (noted in parentheses) emerged: Connection (Internal-Focused or External-Focused), Interpersonal Skills, Abilities and Achievements, Role-Oriented, Self-Efficacy and Resilience (Actions or Traits), and Reported No Strengths. For all participants, the most frequently reported domain was Abilities and Achievements (n = 40, 23.12%). In order from most to least frequently reported strengths for all participants, the domains and categories of reported were: Abilities and Achievements (n = 40, 23.12%), Connection External-Focused (n = 31, 17.92%), Interpersonal Skills (n = 31, 17.92%), Self-Efficacy and Resilience Traits (n = 29, 16.76%), Connection Internal-Focused (n = 19, 10.98%), Self-Efficacy and Resilience Actions (n = 16, 9.25%), Reported No Strengths (n = 4, 2.31%), and Role-Oriented (n = 3, 1.73%). Implications for clinical practice, training, and research are discussed. | |
