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SOLUTION-FOCUSED BRIEF THERAPY
Full Day Workshop
1. Theory of Solution-Focused Therapy
Therapist and client co-construct the therapeutic reality
Becomes the context within which change occurs
An active, not a passive process
Language is primary means of constructing
Importance of "change talk"
Behavior-meaning frames
Doing something different
Reframing: Changing the meaning frame
Therapeutic relationship
Clients are doing the best they can – want to change
Therapist’s job is to make change happen
Assumption: Elements of the solution are already present
2. Methods and Metaphors of Solution-Focused Therapy
Therapy team (you may be your own "team")
The one-way mirror (this may be only a metaphor)
Consulting break
The therapeutic message: compliments & intervention
Time limited: 1 to 6 sessions in out-patient
3. Imagining the Possible: Constructing Well-Formed Goals
Characteristics of well-formed goals
- Must be the client’s
- Small (but important)
- Specific, concrete, behavioral
- The "start" of something (not the "end")
- The "presence" of something (not the "absence")
- Realistic, achievable within the context of the client's situation
Techniques for setting goals
- Direct approach: unfortunately it often doesn’t work
- Exceptions: What happens when the problem doesn't happen?
- The miracle question: Let's suppose a miracle happens -- what will you notice
that’s different?
- Scaling vague goals: On a scale of 1 to 10....
- Fallback question: How are you coping now?
4. The Solution-Focused Initial Interview
Is the client a customer? If not, help them contemplate.
What is the goal? (always ask the miracle and scaling questions)
What exceptions/solutions are already present?
Do they know what they need to do to keep change happening?
How confident are they?
What is the client’s worldview?
Note the client’s language
5. Solution-Focusing Techniques: How to keep yourself on track
What happens when the complaint doesn’t?
What have you done? What else? What else??
What WILL things be like WHEN the problem is solved?
Persistently and gently challenge the client’s hopeless world view
Confusion technique: challenge client’s problem-focused construction
Paradoxical technique: agree that change is impossible
6. Designing the Intervention: From Exceptions to Solutions
Compliments (ABC’s)
- Accurate
- Believable
- Constructive
Bridging statement
Intervention message
- Builds on elements of the solution that are already present
- Moves client toward goal
7. Subsequent Sessions: Making Change the Rule
Phases in the session (EARS)
Elicit reports of change
Amplify the change
Reinforce it
Start over – plan for more change
Useful questions
What is going right?
How are things better?
How are you making that happen?
What do others notice? How is that making a difference?
What will it take to keep it going?
Use the scaling question to track client change – give feedback to the client
Change is usually two steps forward, one step back
When is a slip-up (relapse) likely?
What will you do to get yourself back on track?
8. Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Therapy
What does the outcome research say?
How to track your own outcome data
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