This article applauds the strength-based model (SBM) of counseling but calls for an extension. In the existential or humanistic tradition, the SBM builds on emerging trends in psychology to highlight the importance of individual strengths in counseling interventions. However, a role strain and adaptation (RSA) approach extends the SBM to systematically address diversity, multilevel, and life-span issues among at-risk youth. Guided by cross-cultural research, the RSA extension of SBM explains how universal (etic) and ethnic-specific (emic) strengths facilitate coping. Building on cological studies, the RSA extension also clarifies the operation of risk and protective factors at the individual, family, and community levels. Moreover, the RSA extension provides a life-span framework to examine risk factors and protective strengths as adolescents prepare for early, middle, and elder adulthood. Finally, the RSA extension can help psychologists and other professionals better distinguish between three empowerment goals in interventions with at-risk populations—therapeutic, resiliency, and systemic.
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