Which term describes the process used in therapy to help clients reach realistic goals by using all their resources, recognizing their positive traits, and transforming negative traits into positive assets?

Which term describes the process used in therapy to help clients reach realistic goals by using all their resources, recognizing their positive traits, and transforming negative traits into positive assets?

• A. Family Constellations
• B. Encouragement
• C. Immediacy
• D. Paradoxical Intention

Answer: (B)

Encouragement in therapy centers on using a client’s resources and strengths to move toward realistic goals, while reframing challenges as opportunities. By recognizing positive traits and praising effort, the therapist helps the client see what they can already do and builds confidence that progress is possible. This creates a practical path forward: set achievable steps that align with the client’s abilities and values, turning any perceived weaknesses into assets through a strengths-based perspective. For example, a therapist might highlight past successes, map out skills the client has used effectively, and collaboratively plan small, concrete steps. This contrasts with approaches that focus on family systems, direct feedback about the therapeutic relationship in the moment, or strategies that encourage anxiety-provoking behaviors to be faced in a paradoxical way, which are not centered on transforming negative traits into positive assets.

Encouragement in therapy centers on using a client’s resources and strengths to move toward realistic goals, while reframing challenges as opportunities. By recognizing positive traits and praising effort, the therapist helps the client see what they can already do and builds confidence that progress is possible. This creates a practical path forward: set achievable steps that align with the client’s abilities and values, turning any perceived weaknesses into assets through a strengths-based perspective. For example, a therapist might highlight past successes, map out skills the client has used effectively, and collaboratively plan small, concrete steps. This contrasts with approaches that focus on family systems, direct feedback about the therapeutic relationship in the moment, or strategies that encourage anxiety-provoking behaviors to be faced in a paradoxical way, which are not centered on transforming negative traits into positive assets.