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Julius K. Magee II
Meaning Making Forum 4
Meaning Making Forum 4
Solution Focused Brief Therapy: The old school of thought considered therapy to be
successful if it were thorough, reconstructive, and had a significant investment of time. On the
other hand, Solution Focused Brief Therapy was developed with the hypothesis that no problem
happened all the time; and, therapy could be accomplished in a brief time frame. First, the
pastoral counselor and patient work on constructing solutions for what is deemed problematic in
the present, and determine together what needs to happen so the patient can improve. Second, the
pastoral counselor focuses more on the strengths and resources of the patient than on the
weaknesses and limitations.
The process of Solution Focused Brief Therapy begins by immediately probing for the
discovery of solutions. These highly specific treatment goals describe the first small steps the
patient needs to take rather than the end of the journey. Available to pastoral counselors are
several techniques unique to Solution Focused Brief Therapy. On a scale of one to ten, the client
is asked to describe the problem with one representing the problem at its worst, and the number
ten indicating when the miracle occurred. While there is a need for research to examine its
strengths and limitations, the existing literature demonstrates that Solution Focused Brief
Therapy is a pragmatic approach to change that can be used in a variety of church and clinical
settings.1
Rapport and Relational Alignment
In this phase of our session, after reaching the core (the middle) of the issues at hand, again,
1 Pp. 127 – 128, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEVELOPING CORE COUNSELING COMPETENCIES IN
PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY
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Bruce being a “D/C/I” (dominant, cautious, and inspiring), more “D/C” (dominant, cautious)
than “I” (inspiring), (Carbonell 2008, pp. 179 – 181) , has now come to grips with himself, or
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better yet, handles himself in a better fashion than he has before.
Using the “Solution Focused Brief Therapy,” the most well-known of the therapy is the
“miracle question.” It is helpful for patients to imagine a future where problems are solved. The
“Miracle Question” asks, “Suppose you went home tonight, and while you were asleep, a miracle
happened – the problem that brought you here was solved. How will you and those around you
know the miracle happened, what would you do differently, and your boys notice you were doing
differently?”3
While “accepting and reorganizing”, Bruce is becoming more friendly and not isolated while
sharing his journey with both his sons, Josh, who is always talked to, and now Brody, whom he
apologizes for ignoring him and not sharing in his grief and pain. He realized that it is normal,
predictable, expected, and a healthy reaction to a loss.
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Bruce’s way of living is changing for the better making his personality become a “D/C/I”
(dominant, cautious, and inspiring), to “D/I/C” (dominant, inspiring, and cautious). Mind you,
his dominancy is not going to change. He’s still cautious, but more inspiring now. But you can
tell that his dominance is a little down, in otherwords, Bruce’s assertion of control in dealing
with others has kind of simmered down some.
5
Scriptures to help Bruce: Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”, 1
Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God
is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
2 Pp. 179 – 181, How to Solve the People Puzzle: Understanding Personality Patterns
3 P. 128, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEVELOPING CORE COUNSELING COMPETENCIES IN PASTORAL
CARE MINISTRY
4 P. 133, The Quick-Reference guide to Biblical Counseling
5 Pp. 179 – 181, How to Solve the People Puzzle: Understanding Personality Patterns
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temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”, Romans 8:28, “And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose.”, Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”, 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given
us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”, and Ephesians 6:11, “Put
on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” All
scriptures King James Version.
Bruce established ownership (Petersen 2015, p.109), and openness (Petersen 2015, p.109),
and now heart talk (Petersen, pp. 109 – 110). Bruce talked about his feelings and hurt. Bruce
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told what he’s done differently, and what he will not do to see if he is on track (Kollar 2011,
p.150).7 . He acknowledged the fact he chose to seek counseling and is happy. Overcoming and
accepting his issues, his two sons as well are paying attention and the younger son is responding
more to his dad from being ignored months ago. They are back on track.
Phase Two Distinctive Features
Goal Formation
Prior sessions already having built trust, Bruce’s driver seat expert of self-care, now pays
attention to when exceptions occur and notes what is going on and what is different. It reinforces
any small but salient engagement is change behavior, and highlights times when change is
already happening, and small change leads to more change (Greenberg 2001, pp. 2293 – 2294).
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6 P. 109, Why Don’t We Listen Better? Communications and Connecting in Relationships
7 P. 128, Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for Getting People Back on
Track
8 Pp. 2293 – 2294, Solution-Focused Therapy: Counseling model for busy family physicians
4
His treatment given prior to session today, sees life differently and is now relieved of the hurt
and heartache more than he had when first started. Can smile and see life more differently. The
miracle questions have been asked and the progress and capabilities of changes have been made,
(Solution-focused therapy 2001, p. 2291). Appreciating that change occurs in small increments
means that goal behavior is readily accessible and attainable, thus creating a positive climate for
both patients and physicians and the benefits of using this approach far outweigh the discomfort
of a counseling situation when we are barely one step ahead of patients in our own knowledge
and experience (Solution-focused therapy 2001, p. 2293).
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Chief Aim
At motivation levels, we do things because we want them done, not because we want to do
them. We want results. The pay-off? Satisfaction! When we are clear that we want the results of
doing something we may not enjoy, we have good, smooth-running energy to apply to it. We
might say, “While I don’t want to do this (primary motivation), I do it because I want it done.
(secondary motivation).” (Petersen 2015, p.211) Bruce is facing and dealing with the whatever
10.
issues mode and we want him to continue to keep it moving so as to have satisfaction with
acceptance while appreciating the fact that he has accomplished such even with a smile.
Role/Responsibility
Being his counselor, I will be looking for strengths and exceptions. We want to focus on the
comments that are given at the conclusion of the session, specifically after a break is taken. I
want to support and promote change through well-crafted feedback. At this point, we take the
time to collect our thoughts. To encourage reflection, and thinking through what would be
9 Pp. 2291, 2293, Solution-Focused Therapy: Counseling model for busy family physicians
10 P. 211, Why Don’t We Listen Better? Communications and Connecting in Relationships
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helpful to discuss in our final minutes together (Kollar 2011, p.139).11
Behavioral Position
Bruce past core being, recognizes his improvement. Now he is willing to do whatever it takes
to keep moving forward. He’s reflecting back on the loss he’s gone through, how he treated this
youngest son, resolving the actions who killed his wife and daughter. Bruce now wants to help
heal the community by helping the young man (Justin) who killed his wife and daughter by
having him (Justin) work with him by talking about what he (Justin) has done and the dangers
and consequences of the actions taken when doing things that are not right before God’s eyes.
And how people can still forgive you even when they do not have to even after you have taken
someone who was dear to him and his sons. If he (Bruce) can forgive me (Justin), I know I can
be a better person and change my life.
Guiding Assumptions
Isaiah 58:11, “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and
make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose
waters fail not.”, and John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he
speak: and he will shew you things to come.” , both scriptures King James Version.
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Looking at the bright side of life, Bruce stays uplifted and is ready to take on the task reeling
in Justin instead of having him committed. Exploring the possibilities of having forums at the
different high schools to teach other students the dangers of street racing and what can happen to
those who are affected by it if someone gets seriously injured or killed in an accident if the
vehicles are speeding and lose control. How consequences are great.
11 P. 139, Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for Getting People Back on
Track
12 Isaiah 58:11 and John 16:13, King James Versions
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Supportive Feedback Break
Compliments from the counselor desiring to encourage positive actions and point out
Bruce’s strengths (Kollar 2011, p.142). Praising the counselee for any observed positive action
also helps to normalize the problem and reinforce the counselees’ responsibility (Kollar 2011,
p.143).13 By providing encouragement to someone else, Bruce will receive encouragement back
and this will increase your feelings of self-worth (Clinton & Hawkins 2009, p. 140).
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Bruce’s Christianity is showing more and more each day. Christian counselors need to
continue to keep soothing scriptures going to keep mending him. Being happier or better than
before, still benefiting us both while asking the Holy Spirit to keep intervening at different levels
showing profitable healing in Christ.
Phase Two Marker
The profitable last session, Bruce is managing much better. He is disclosing his forgiveness
to others, he will be held accountable to his decision to forgive the transgressor (Clinton &
Hawkins 2009, p. 127). Reminding him once again what the scripture says: 2 Corinthians 12:9-
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10, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”, King
16
James Version
Reminding Bruce again because of Christ, forgiveness was in place before we even knew
we had forgiveness in the first place when we did not deserve forgiveness at all. For pastoral
13 Pp. 142 – 143, Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for Getting People
Back on Track
14 P. 140, The Quick-Reference guide to Biblical Counseling
15 P. 127, Ibid.
16 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, King James Version
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counselors, the compliments should focus on what is important to the counselee within his own
experience, not the counselor’s opinion or faith position. The compliment is not intended as
positive reinforcement but is instead intended to open up the possibilities to what life will look
like without the problem dominating (Kollar 2011, p. 189).17
Food for Thought
John 8:31-32, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my
word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free.”, , “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, Philippians 2:1-5
if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be
likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be
done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”18
Bibliography
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEVELOPING CORE COUNSELING COMPETENCIES IN
PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY, Carl Rogers and Barry Stevens, Person to Person: The
17 P. 189, Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for Getting People Back on
Track
18 and , King James Versions John 8:31-32 Philippians 2:1-5
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Problem of Being Human, a New Trend in Psychology (Lafayette, CA: Real People Press,
1967), pp. 127 – 128.
Carbonell, Mels. How to Solve the People Puzzle: Understanding Personality Patterns. Blue
Ridge, GA: Uniquely You Resources, 2008, Pp. 179 – 181.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEVELOPING CORE COUNSELING COMPETENCIES IN
PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY, Carl Rogers and Barry Stevens, Person to Person: The
Problem of Being Human, a New Trend in Psychology (Lafayette, CA: Real People Press,
1967), 128.
Clinton, Tim, and Ron Hawkins. The Quick-Reference guide to Biblical Counseling. (Grand
Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2009, p. 133.
Carbonell, Mels. How to Solve the People Puzzle: Understanding Personality Patterns. Blue
Ridge, GA: Uniquely You Resources, 2008, Pp. 179 – 181.
Petersen, James C. Why Don’t We Listen Better? Communications and Connecting in
Relationships. Portland, OR: Petersen Publications, 2015, p. 109.
Kollar, Charles. Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for
Getting People Back on Track. Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan, 2011, p 128.
Greenberg, Gail and Keren Ganshorn. “Solution-Focused Therapy: A Solution Driven Model for
Change.” Adapted from Greenberg, Gail et al (2001). “Solution–Focused Therapy: A
Counseling Model for Busy Family Physicians.” Canadian Family Physician, 47: 2293 –
2294.
Ibid., 2291, 2293
Petersen, James C. Why Don’t We Listen Better? Communications and Connecting in
Relationships. Portland, OR: Petersen Publications, 2015, p. 211.
Kollar, Charles. Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for
Getting People Back on Track. Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan, 2011, p 139.
Isaiah 58:11 and John 16:13, King James Versions.
Kollar, Charles. Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for
Getting People Back on Track. Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan, 2011, pp. 142 – 143.
Clinton, Tim, and Ron Hawkins. The Quick-Reference guide to Biblical Counseling. (Grand
Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2009, p. 140.
Ibid., p. 127.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, King James Version
Kollar, Charles. Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for
Getting People Back on Track. Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan, 2011, p 189.
John 8:31-32 Philippians 2:1-5 and , both King James Versions
