Sharing SF gems I have gathered while working with students Judi Miller Solution-focused practice conference March 20, 2019

Gems and SFBT Gemstones are believed to have special powers many of which align with such SF principles as: Empowerment Hope, Joy Wellbeing Grounding Envisioning what you want

Added to these right now Co-operation Connection Solidarity Compassion Support Strength

SF experience here On a scale of 1 – 10 where 1 is I have no idea about Solution-focused counselling, and 10 is: ‘I am completely confident with Solution-focused counselling’ Where are you on that scale?

Plan for this workshop Working with student enquiries ‘Surely you need to know something about the client’s problem to help them work towards a preferred future?’ ‘How do you work with a client who wants to know ‘why?’’ ‘Isn’t taking notes disrespectful, and distracting?’

Question 1 – problem and solution Rather than: Find a solution That fits the problem That fits the person B. O’Connell

Scaling Miracle Question Skills of not knowing Scaling Miracle Question

Scaling Makes concepts measurable Provides the tool to measure change Neutral tool to explore what is wanted what has worked and highlight possibilities for change Enables the client to use own definitions by naming upper and lower ends: 10 the best things could be and the 1 the opposite of that.

Demonstration Volunteer

Question 2: Working with why questions Assumptions in SFBT are that it is more helpful to work with clients by using language of who, what, how, when than why questions as why focuses on causal aspects and can limit the client to problem focus. One way of working with clients who ask why questions is to respectfully acknowledge their query and be tentative in helping them shiftt heir focus to what they want.

One way of visualizing this shift is: If only….. Then…. ?

Useful lead questions are: Suppose you did know why, what difference would that make? What will you notice? What else? What would your colleagues/friends notice? How will you know? What would be doing that you are not doing now?

This allows for a detailed conversation about What you will be doing that you are not doing now? How have you been able to do these things – instances of success

Question 3: Notetaking When you make it obvious that you are recording what the client wants, the client will focus more on this. Your act of taking notes may be an incentive to the client to give you more detail. Looking at what you have written gives the client time to think and add more detail.

Useful places to make notetaking obvious: Details about what the client wants (best hopes) Details about the client’s miracle (preferred future; best hopes realized) Client’s description of their resources, strengths, competence, and qualities to promote change, resilience and coping Detail about client’s Instances of success Scaling and signs that progress is being made

Chris Iveson’s palate for notetaking

Thank you Queries?