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.
