The Strengths Model is a recovery-oriented, evidence-based case
management model developed by Charles Rapp and colleagues at the
University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. It was developed
in the early 1980’s in response to traditional mental health
approaches that often focused on pathology and diagnosis, held
low expectations for what people with mental illnesses could
achieve in their life, and frequently used stabilization and
maintenance as measures of success. The model has a solid
research base demonstrating improved outcomes in the areas of
decreased hospitalization, increased competitive employment,
increased post-secondary education, independent living, and other
quality of life indicators. The model is designed to help people
identify meaningful and important recovery goals and then
mobilize highly individualized strengths to achieve them.
For more information, please contact Rick Goscha, PhD, Senior Vice
President.
For additional reading on the Strengths Model, please refer to
the book The Strengths Model: A Recovery-Oriented Approach
to Mental Health Services (2012) by Rapp and Goscha. The book
published by Oxford University Press is now in its third edition.
Learn how Strengths Model implementation can improve
outcomes for your agency
Description
The goal of Strengths Model case management is to help people
build or rebuild lives that by their own definition have meaning,
purpose, and valued identity. Strengths Model case management is
an evidence-based practice demonstrating positive outcomes in the
areas of psychiatric hospitalization, competitive employment,
education, and a range of quality of life indicators. Strengths
Model case management has been used effectively with adults with
serious mental illnesses, transitional aged youth, children ages
12-16, and individual with co-occurring substance use
disorders.
