Discussion
Blackbarbie
Coadychapter20ppt.pptx
Editors
Nick Coady, PhD
Peter Lehmann, PhD, LCSW
Theoretical Perspectives for Direct Social Work Practice
A Generalist-Eclectic Approach
Third Edition
Power Point for
20. Solution-Focused Therapy Jacqueline Corcoran
OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED PRACTICE
In solution-focused therapy, clients are viewed as having the necessary strengths and capacities to solve their own problems.
Because individuals are unique and have the right to determine what it is they want, the task of the practitioner is to identify strengths and amplify them so that clients can apply these “solutions.”
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OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED PRACTICE
Given the lack of emphasis on problems, history taking and discussion of how symptoms manifest themselves are not detailed.
Neither is there a need to understand how the problem began because this knowledge may offer little in terms of how to solve the problem.
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OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED PRACTICE
In general, the past is deemphasized other than times when exceptions to problems occurred.
The model orients instead toward the future when the problem will no longer be a problem.
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OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED PRACTICE
To this end, practitioners assist clients in eliciting “exceptions,” times when the problem is either not a problem or is lessened in terms of duration, severity, frequency, or intensity.
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OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED PRACTICE
The construction of solutions from exceptions is considered easier and ultimately more successful than stopping or changing existing problem behavior.
When exceptions are identified, the practitioner explores with clients the strengths and resources that were utilized.
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OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED PRACTICE
These resources are enlarged upon through the use of questions presupposing that positive change will occur (e.g., “When you are doing better, what will be happening?”; “When our work here is successful, what will be different?”), since changes in language are assumed to lead to changes in perception.
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OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED PRACTICE
When clients view themselves as resourceful and capable, they are empowered toward future positive behavior
Behavioral, as well as perceptual, change is implicated since the approach is focused on concrete, specific behaviors that are achievable within a brief time period.
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OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED PRACTICE
The view is that change in specific areas can “snowball” into bigger changes due to the systems orientation assumed to be present: Change in one part of the system can lead to change in other parts of the system.
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OVERVIEW OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED PRACTICE
The systemic basis of solution-focused therapy also means that the context of a particular behavior is more influential than innate individual characteristics. In this model, the individual is depathologized; instead, the emphasis is on situational aspects—the who, what, where, when, and how of a particular behavior.
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PHASES OF HELPING
Engagement
Assessment
Goal Setting
Intervention
Termination
However, it must be noted that phases are typically not as discrete as they are in a generalist-eclectic framework.
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CASE EXAMPLE EXERCISE
Review the case example at the end of the chapter.
In your groups, discuss one of the phases of helping informed by solution-focused therapy.
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Divide the class into five groups. Assign each group one of the phases of helping to discuss as it relates to the case example.
What Do You Think?
What do you imagine the benefits might be to focusing on the future without the problem as opposed to the history and causes of the problem?
How might a solution-focused therapist/practitioner deal with past trauma?
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What Do You Think?
How can this theory be applied to family work?
How can this theory be applied to group work?
What are the strengths of this theory?
What are the major critiques/limitations?
In what ways are this theory compatible with the generalist-eclectic framework?
What do you think you will take away from or use from this theory’s perspective?
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