Theories of Counseling SolutionFocused Brief Therapy Power Point

Theories of Counseling: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Power. Point produced by Melinda Haley, M. S. , New Mexico State University. “This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: v any public performance or display, including transmission of an image over a network; v preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or part, of any images; v any rental, lease, or lending of the program. ” “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Basic Tenets v Developed mostly by Steve De Shazer, Insoo Berg, Eve Lipchek and Michele Weiner-Davis. v It looks at the positive side of problems and what works. v It can be used in a variety of settings with a variety of problems. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Basic Tenets v Places emphasis on the future rather than the present or past. v All people are free to make choices. v Client’s are their own experts who know what is best for them. v The therapist accepts the client's view of reality. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Basic Tenets v Therapy is collaborative and cooperative. v Uses the resources available to the client. v Goals are specific, behavioral and obtainable. v Problems are reframed in a more positive way. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Theory of Personality v Constructivism: It honors the client's subjective perception of his or her reality. v Poststructuralism: Reality arises from a consensual linguistic process. The world, our social context, and our reality are filtered through language. v Interactional Constructivism: The therapist tries to reframe or change the conceptual and/or emotional viewpoint of the client. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Theory of Personality v Constructive Alternativism: As problems are reframed, they form new solution-oriented alternatives. v Phenomenological/Humanistic/Existential Basis: Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) does not believe in therapist as expert. v SFBT does not believe that a person’s perception is incorrect or maladjusted or in need of change. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Nature of Maladjustment v SFBT is focused on finding solutions not problems and therefore does not look at a person in the sense of being maladjusted. v It is behavior that causes maladjustment and not the innate qualities of the person. v The client’s narrative determines much about the repeated patterns of dysfunctional behavior. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Three Types of Narratives v Progressive: Indicates that clients are moving forward and acting on goals. v Stability: Indicates client’s are keeping the status quo. v Regressive: Indicates client’s are retreating from goals. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy The Counseling Process v Counselor/client relationship: Customer—Seller; Complainant—Lstener; Visitor—Host. v Customers: These clients are active and want to do something about their situation. v Complainant: These clients don’t want to do anything themselves but want someone or something else to change. v Visitor: A client who does not know or cannot verbalize his or her complaint or problem. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Basic Rules and Assumptions v “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”: The client determines the goals of counseling, not therapist. v “Once you know what works, do more of it”: This helps the client see positive behaviors and reinforces proactive behaviors. v “If it’s broke, do something to fix it. If it doesn’t work, don’t do it again”: If it is not working there is no need to try it again. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Basic Rules and Assumptions v Focus on what is right and what is working. v Every problem has exceptions that can be turned into solutions. v Little changes lead to bigger changes. v Goals are always set in positive terms. v People do want to change for the better. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Basic Rules and Assumptions v People are highly susceptible and dependent. v Don’t ask a client to do something that he or she has not succeeded at before. v Avoid analyzing the problem. v Be efficient! Don’t look for problems or solutions that won’t work. v Be a survivor not a victim. v Focus on the present and the future, not the past. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Strategies for Helping Clients Formula Tasks: v Goals: Helps focus the client and session immediately on goal identification. v Miracle Question: “Suppose one night a miracle happened and your problem was solved. How would you know? ” v The Nightmare Question: “Think about having a terrible nightmare where your problem was amplified. What would be happening to let you know your nightmare came true? ” This might be used when client minimizes or denies his or her problem. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Strategies for Helping Clients Formula Tasks: v Labeling: Externalize the problem so that the person is not the problem but the problem is the problem. v Normalizing: Clients have complaints, issues and concerns not symptoms, problems or pathologies. v Insight: Insight is not needed to solve the problem. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Strategies for Helping Clients Formula Tasks: v Focusing: Tangential issues are not important and complex problems can still have simple solutions. v Positive Blame: Blame positive changes on the client and work within the client’s worldview. v Don’t Know: Don’t let the client discount his or her success and when the client says “I don’t know, ” ask him or her, “what if you did know? ” “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Strategies for Helping Clients Formula Tasks: v Combating Resistance: There is less resistance when we cooperate with the client. v Scaling Questions: Helps clients to quantify their concerns. “If you were to rate yourself on a scale of 1 -10 with zero being your worst day and 10 being after your miracle, where would you be right now? ” v Exceptions: When did the client not have the problem and what did that look like? “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Strategies for Helping Clients Formula Tasks: v Reframing: Reframing problems into more positive terms can help encourage resolution. v Cheerleading: Support and encourage the client’s success. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Writing the Message v There are three components to the message: compliments, the bridging statement and tasks. v Compliments: Used to encourage the client and points out client strengths and efforts. v Bridging Statement: Summarizes what the client wants from counseling and sets up the discussion for the task. v Task: The homework therapist will ask the client to do between sessions. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Advantages of SFBT v Fits in nicely with managed care and the pressure to provide effective counseling in a briefer time frame. v Emphasizes the positive attributes in clients. v It can be used effectively with a variety of clients and issues. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Disadvantages of SFBT v Critics say it is too simplistic and does not have enough empirical research to support it. v It may be contraindicated with dependent clients. v It may not adequately address clients with serious mental issues. v It may not develop the counselor/client relationship in enough depth to be therapeutic. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy SFBT with Diverse Populations v It does not attend to many multicultural tenets (e. g. understanding the client within his or her culture and worldview. ) v It does not attend to the fact that problems may indeed be out of the client’s ability to change them because the problems are system bound. v It works well for clients and cultures who like a fast, no-nonsense, downto-earth approach and who are not interested in the cognitive, behavioral or affective components of a problem. v But because the client is seen as the expert, it can work well for some clients of other cultures. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Resources Ivey, A. E. , D’Andrea, M. , Ivey, M. B. and Morgan, L. S. (2002). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A multicultural perspective, 5 th ed. Boston, MA. : Allyn & Bacon. James, R. K. & Gilliland, B. E. (2003). Theories and strategies in counseling and psychotherapy, 5 th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Kottler, J. A. (2002). Theories in counseling and therapy: An experiential approach. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”