Are We Overusing The Words - Capacity Building

Are We Overusing the Phrase ‘Capacity Building’?

It shows up in almost every report, every support plan, every goal.

“To build capacity in daily living.”
“Capacity building around emotional regulation.”
“A focus on capacity building through therapy.”

But what do we really mean when we say that?

Because sometimes it feels less like building capacity and more like dressing up compliance.

Like we’re using it to make rigid systems sound empowering.

True capacity building should be slow. Relational. Rooted in trust, agency, and safety.

It’s not about getting someone to tick a goal.

It’s about walking alongside the mountain with them until they decide to climb it.

So next time we write “capacity building”, let’s pause.