Although we did not have time for the lecture on Chapter 15, I found myself intrigued with the information I read on solution-focused therapies. The term solution-focused therapy kept coming up in my classes, but I really did not have an understanding of exactly what it entailed. In reviewing this chapter, I not only learned a lot, but also found myself in agreement with much of what I read. While there is no such thing as a one size fits all therapy, Solution-focused therapy has a lot to offer clients. In several ways, solution-focused therapy reminded me of behaviorism. This is especially true from the aspect of not examining the past. Norcross and Prochaska state in Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis (8th ed), “We can never know the “reality” of personality and psychopathology. There are respected empiricists, such as many behavior therapists, who reject the entire domain of personality and psychopathology. After a century of searching, personality theories have accounted for relatively little human behavior” (2014, p. 408). In my opinion this is too dichotomous of a view, however, in many instances the client already knows how they got where they are or they no longer care about the journey, they are simply looking to find solutions in order to have a better quality of life. In such a case, solution-focused therapy can benefit the client. I really like that this form of therapy does not focus on problem talk, but instead focuses on solution talk. However, the true focus is all about change and the resources needed to make that change. The emphasis is on the client’s, “unique, subjective perspective or self-constructed narrative, as contrasted with an objective or consensual reality” (Norcross, p. 406). Thi... ... middle of paper ... ... practices are required as proof of effectiveness. Only time will tell if solution-focused therapy will prove to be evidence based practice (Norcross). I am glad I took the time to read this chapter. I feel that I have a much clearer picture of what solution-focused therapies are and how they work. I can see the benefit both from the perspective of the insurance company and the client. While I do not think this approach is for everyone, I do believe that in our fast-paced world, SFBT has a lot to offer society and that it will become the rule more so than the exception. References: Hutchinson, David. (2012). The essential counselor: Process, skills, and techniques (2nd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA.: Sage Publications, Inc. Norcross, John C., and Prochaska, James O. (2014). Systems of psychotherapy: A transtheoretical analysis (8th ed). Stamford, CT.: Cengage Learning.
Roth, A., Fonagy, P. (2005). What works for Whom? A Critical Review of Psychotherapy Research. US: Guilford Press.
Nevid, J. S., & Rathus, S. A. (2013). Therapies: Ways of Helping. In Psychology and the Challenges of Life: Adjustment and Growth (12 ed., p. 326). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons Inc.. (Reprinted from Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 1 ed., Vol. 35, pp. 3-9, by R. B. Stuart, Ed., 2004)
Counselors who use Solution-focused brief therapy assume a collaborative role while treating clients as the subject matter experts of thier own lives (Corey, 2017). The postmodern approach is tailored to be a quick form of therapy, so during Solution-focus brief therapy, a counselor will quickly find out how they can be useful to the client. This is accomplished in the first session of therapy along with learning a clients life story. The following sessions there after are used to establish goals and explore times in the clients life that the problem was not present. Seeing life, past and future, from a problem free perspective allows clients to set goals. Goal setting is the third process that leads into soultion building. As clients set
The founders of solution-focused therapy, Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, gained insight about families and relationships at the treatment center they built known as the Milwaukee Brief Family Therapy Center. They believe that parents should be actively engaged in their child’s treatment process. This is due to a parent’s imperative role in their child’s development. Until proven otherwise, parents usually want to feel proud of their child, have a positive impact on their child, and see that their child has a better future then their own (Berg & Steiner, 2003). In solution-focused therapy it is helpful to have clear understanding of what assumptions about children might be.
Solution focused therapy is used by therapist that believe that everyone has a capability to solve their own problems, but they have lost their ability to resolve their problem within the family unit (Nichols, 2014). Families tend to focus on the bad in their lives and only focus on the negative that is going on at the time. The families have
Solution Focused Brief Therapy is a unique approach to therapy that neither focuses on the past nor the future but on what is possible now. SFBT is a post modern approach to therapy that became popular in the 1960's and 70s based on the theory that posits small progress can lead to long term change. This approach was created by...creatorsThe clients and the counselor collaborate to establish realistic goals that can be reached in a relatively short period of time. The counselor works to create an environment where clients can be honest. SFBT believe that analyzing problems is not needed in the process of change. Behavior change is seen as an integral part of change in clients therapeutic process. Both the counselor and the client come together to create goals to incite a change in behavior.
Treatment under this model is one of problem solving and utilizing an individual’s strengths to overcome his or her issues. The goal is to foster empowerment and self-sufficiency in order for the client to return to his or her environment (Woodside & McClam, 2014).
Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (9th Edition). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing.
It is always a valid reminder to appreciate the achievements and failures of past therapeutic approaches and frameworks. I think it was entertaining to promote a quick fix therapy for a problem to be processed in ten sessions versus the long-term modalities. From a marketing perspective of a family, it is engaging to be able to repair the issue immediately so is that life can go on. Understandably, families came to these sessions to have a therapist resolve their single issue. In regards to longevity of the effectiveness, I do not see the value in the ability to maintain family cohesiveness, for it focuses on a single issue. Contrary to this statement, the treatments effectiveness relies on the families ability to follow through on direction
In this approach the practitioner learns more from the client as which tasks are more efficient to goal accomplishment, because the client chooses the goals they wish to accomplish. As cited by Bavelas et al (2013), the process of the solution-focused brief therapy is “listen, select, and build” (p.5). Assumptions are often made in this approach; the best way to help a client is to work in collaborative relationship to discover options for coping. In addition, focusing on the past may not be helpful to the client, it may however hinder the progress of the intervention and may even create distrust in the
Solution-focused therapy is a relative new therapy and according to Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2013) therapists are more concerned with change, rather than looking at why the family has developed a problem. This is done to discourage families from thinking about why a particular issue occurred according to Goldenberg and Goldenberg (2013). Solution-focused therapist listens to the language used by families as they describe their situation and the conflict resolution they expect to accomplished, according to Goldenberg and Goldenberg, (2013). Solution -focused therapy ask, “How can we work together to help you change your situation?” instead of “problem talk”, Tell me what problems brought you to see me,” according to Goldenberg and Goldenberg
We see a diverse group of clients, whom we refer to as patients, however, a majority of our patients suffer from a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Commonly, our patients are treated with medical and psychotherapeutic modalities. Most of our on staff therapists and social workers use cognitive behavioral techniques during therapy, but I have been using an integrative approach with solution-focused brief therapy techniques in the mix. I like to use solution-focused brief therapy for various reasons. Essentially, our patients are with us for only a short period of time. For example, most of our patients are discharged within three days of their admission, with the exception of the court-committed patients who are waiting on a bed at the Mississippi State Hospital. It only makes sense to use an approach that focuses on making small changes in a short amount of time. In addition to this, we also deal with patient’s family members. Often times, family members are not educated on the illness and create more problems. I think it is important for patients along with their family members to create small changes and make
Solution focused therapists, uses language and questions to help the client to use the strengths that they have to achieve the desired change that they want. The therapy adapts to clients frame of reference making it a type of therapy that is applicable to diverse populations and diverse settings. Solution focused therapy is especially fitting for Asian cultures as it aligns with the values of needing to save face and preferring a pragmatic approach to conducting day to day tasks. Despite the slow accumulation of research in solution focused therapies, research findings have shown that it is an effective form of treatment and is efficient and less costly than other types of
Roberts, Carol A. "Theory & Therapy." Theory & Therapy. STCC Foundation Press, n.d. Web. 20 July 2013.
Corey, G. (2011). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (ninth ed., pp. 291-301). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.