Although many members within the family system often find it difficult to identify their own strengths as a family system, treatment providers are charged with the task of helping the family gain insight on the things they have done well in the past. Providing clients with confirmation of a resilient past offers hope for overcoming future barriers. Constant affirmation and acknowledgment of a family’s motivation to move forward and not give up also provides families with a collective sense of hope. Despite the many obstacles that families face, systemic treatment must focus on the positive possibilities that a family may achieve if their effort is relentless in treatment. Ultimately, family members will hopefully move to a place where they are able to recognize their own strengths, these strengths are then validated by the therapist and others within the family system.
In best efforts to promote family resilience, it is extremely important to consider the strengths of families rather than placing the focus on areas of improvement. This does not suggest that areas of improvement should not be addressed and ignored. However, they should not be the focus of treatment. Family resilience is best achieved through a strengths-based approach that highlights what has worked well in the family system both past and current.
