Solution-Focused Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Solution-focused brief therapy uses several techniques and procedures in helping clients find solutions and create a more satisfying life. The therapeutic relationship must be a collaborative one. The therapist must believe that the clients are the experts in their own lives. If the therapeutic process is not a joint-venture, the clients will not find positive solutions to their problem. The Miracle Question, Pretherapy Change and Scaling Questions are just three of the techniques and procedures used by solution-focused therapists (Corey, 2009).
The Miracle Question is a great tool for therapy because it helps clients to set goals. It helps the client feel less threatened about expressing what he or she wants. Pretherapy change is another tool used by the therapist to create an environment that will invite a productive conversation. Such questions might be, "What have you noticed since you made the call to come in?" or "What needs to happen today so that when you leave you 'll think 'This was a good session! '"? Scaling allows clients to take a stand on where they are about things, and communicate possible negative things in a positive way. It can be a way the therapist shifts them from problem-talking to solution-talking (Corey, 2009).
Therapy Scenario: Using the Miracle Question Technique
John is a 35-year-old ‘street drinker’ with a prison record. He is currently under a probation order requiring him to attend an alcohol rehabilitation center. This is a part of his first session with the therapist. This therapist will only see John once at the center.
Therapist: So John, what are your hopes for this session?
John: I don 't know.
Therapist: What do you think?
John: I suppose it will be useful.
Therapist: In what way do you hope it will be useful?
John: I don 't know.
Therapist: What do you think?
John: Stop me drinking.
Therapist: So if this meeting helps you stop drinking it will have been worth your
Solution-focused brief therapy uses several techniques and procedures in helping clients find solutions and create a more satisfying life. The therapeutic relationship must be a collaborative one. The therapist must believe that the clients are the experts in their own lives. If the therapeutic process is not a joint-venture, the clients will not find positive solutions to their problem. The Miracle Question, Pretherapy Change and Scaling Questions are just three of the techniques and procedures used by solution-focused therapists (Corey, 2009).
The Miracle Question is a great tool for therapy because it helps clients to set goals. It helps the client feel less threatened about expressing what he or she wants. Pretherapy change is another tool used by the therapist to create an environment that will invite a productive conversation. Such questions might be, "What have you noticed since you made the call to come in?" or "What needs to happen today so that when you leave you 'll think 'This was a good session! '"? Scaling allows clients to take a stand on where they are about things, and communicate possible negative things in a positive way. It can be a way the therapist shifts them from problem-talking to solution-talking (Corey, 2009).
Therapy Scenario: Using the Miracle Question Technique
John is a 35-year-old ‘street drinker’ with a prison record. He is currently under a probation order requiring him to attend an alcohol rehabilitation center. This is a part of his first session with the therapist. This therapist will only see John once at the center.
Therapist: So John, what are your hopes for this session?
John: I don 't know.
Therapist: What do you think?
John: I suppose it will be useful.
Therapist: In what way do you hope it will be useful?
John: I don 't know.
Therapist: What do you think?
John: Stop me drinking.
Therapist: So if this meeting helps you stop drinking it will have been worth your
References: Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Brooks Cole.