Solution-Focused Therapy Theory
Working with this client in particular, Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) and Critical Race Theory (CRT) are two Evidence Based Practices which would be useful in engaging the client in treatment to address both the client/family concerns and probation/court concerns. SFT would be beneficial in identifying and building upon the client/family strengths. CRT would assist in supporting the client address barriers related to race and culture. Keeping in mind that treatment is court mandated, due to its structured nature, SFT would allow the client/family to address a specific problem in a structured short term venue.
Employing a model like SFT would be appropriate in this situation because it helps guide the treatment process from a strengths
based perspective. In regards to utilizing SFT as an early intervention when working with adolescents, Paylo (2005) contends that “if early attempts at changing aggressive, disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents are successful, these behaviors would not escalate to the degree that violence becomes a part of the adolescent’s identity.” Scaling questions such as “the miracle question” are helpful in allowing the client/family to identify for themselves how their lives would improve if their problems were to disappear overnight. Utilizing open-ended questions such as this create an opportunity for insight and discussion while avoiding closed responses such as “yes” or “no.”
Given the clients location in respect to ethnicity and culture, CRT would address areas of cultural consideration such as language barriers, discrimination, and racism faced by the client. In regards to the client’s academic functioning and conduct related symptoms utilizing CRT findings by Howard & Navarro (2016) report that “the state of affairs for students of color remains one of the most pressing concerns in education, and data suggests that students of color experience school in a distinctly different way than their White peers” (p. 255).
Employing a model like SFT would be appropriate in this situation because it helps guide the treatment process from a strengths
based perspective. In regards to utilizing SFT as an early intervention when working with adolescents, Paylo (2005) contends that “if early attempts at changing aggressive, disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents are successful, these behaviors would not escalate to the degree that violence becomes a part of the adolescent’s identity.” Scaling questions such as “the miracle question” are helpful in allowing the client/family to identify for themselves how their lives would improve if their problems were to disappear overnight. Utilizing open-ended questions such as this create an opportunity for insight and discussion while avoiding closed responses such as “yes” or “no.”
Given the clients location in respect to ethnicity and culture, CRT would address areas of cultural consideration such as language barriers, discrimination, and racism faced by the client. In regards to the client’s academic functioning and conduct related symptoms utilizing CRT findings by Howard & Navarro (2016) report that “the state of affairs for students of color remains one of the most pressing concerns in education, and data suggests that students of color experience school in a distinctly different way than their White peers” (p. 255).