What does the strengths perspective emphasize in MFT?

The strengths perspective emphasizes utilizing clients' existing strengths and resources as a primary approach in marriage and family therapy (MFT). This approach shifts the focus away from problems and deficits, encouraging therapists to identify and build on the strengths that clients already possess. By highlighting clients' capabilities, resilience, and personal resources, therapists foster empowerment, leading clients towards positive change and growth. This paradigm encourages collaborative therapy, where clients are seen as active participants in the therapeutic process, capable of contributing to their own solutions and outcomes.

In contrast, the other options reflect approaches that do not align with the strengths perspective. Focusing on clients' weaknesses, pushing clients to explore negative experiences, and believing in predetermined outcomes would limit the therapeutic process to a negative framework and could undermine the agency of clients. These approaches do not promote an understanding of clients as resourceful individuals who can leverage their strengths to overcome challenges.