W#10 PP peer replies
MR25
SolutionFocusedTherapyPP.pptxSolution Focused Brief Therapy
Michelle
solution focused brief therapy
Created in 1970s by Steve de Shazar & Insoo Kim Berg
Future- focused, goal oriented therapeutic approach
Constructs solutions rather than focusing on problems
Doesn’t analyze problems, past events or how problems emerged
Stand alone therapy or combined with other therapy styles
Average length of therapy: 2-8 sessions
(Corey, 2017)
assumptions
Client is the expert- they know themselves best
Each client approaches counseling from unique point of view influenced by their background/experience
Placing focus on strengths & solutions will reduce the length of therapy to a minimum
Small changes lead to bigger changes
People are competent and have the ability to find solutions & the ability to change
(Yates, Choi & Beauchemin, 2020)
Process
(Perry, 2019)
Give
Give client the opportunity to discuss their problems
Work
Work with client to develop well-formed goals quickly
Ask about
Ask about times when problems weren’t there
Provide
Provide summary/feedback, provide encouragement
Goals should be….
Stated positively in the client’s language
Action-oriented
Structured in the here & now
Attainable, concrete, specific & measurable
Controlled by the client
(Corey, 2017), (Murphy, 2015)
Techniques
Looking for “exceptions”- times when problems weren’t there
Past experiences when the problem could have occurred but did not
Present future questions, not past-oriented questions
Problems best solved by focusing on what is working now
Compliments
Clients feel motivated & empowered to achieve goals
The “miracle question”
How would client feel if they woke up tomorrow and all their problems were solved?
Picture reality where all problems are solved
Techniques cont.
Scaling question- On a scale from 1 to 10
Client’s perception of problem severity
Shows the client they are not completely defeated by the problem
References
Corey, G. (2017). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (10th e.d.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Finlayson, B. T., Hall, G. N. & Jordan, S. S. (2020, May 30). Integrating solution-focused brief therapy for systemic posttraumatic stress prevention in pediatrics.
Murphy, J. (2015). Solution-Focused Counseling in Schools (3rd e.d.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Perry, V. (2019). Solution-focused therapy with families. In L. Metcalf (Ed.), Marriage & Family Therapy (pp 261-287). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Yates, H. T., Choi, Y. J. & Beauchemin, J. D. (2020). “It’s not just us.. We ain’t doin’ it alone.” Development of the solution-focused wellness for HIV intervention. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 101(1), 71-82.
