Crisis, trauma, and challenge: A relational resilience approach for healing, transformation, and growth∗

This paper was presented for the Lydia Rappaport Lecture, Smith College School for Social Work, June 10, 2002.

Abstract

The concept of resilience — strengths forged through adversity — offers a valuable framework for working with a broad diversity of clients and life challenges. Grounded in a developmental systemic perspective on vulnerability, risk, and resilience, the author has drawn together clinical and research advances to develop a useful practice framework to identify and facilitate key processes for individual and relational resilience. This paper will describe and illustrate this strengths‐oriented approach for healing, transformation, and growth out of crisis, trauma, and loss, with a focus on belief systems that foster resilience through meaning‐making, a positive outlook, and transcendence/spirituality.

Notes

This paper was presented for the Lydia Rappaport Lecture, Smith College School for Social Work, June 10, 2002.