Solution Focused Coaching

Coaching: Is largely unregulated in the United States (voluntary credentialling ) Has different theoretical understandings, but SFBT therapists have been particularly drawn to it Focuses on specific goals

What it is not: Therapy Watch potential for danger - as a medical professional would see it- so some knowledge of diagnosis needed Watch relationship to another person focus especially if unlicensed in practice act states - relationship to task is usual differentiation

What it is not: teaching or advice giving Watch introduction of new behavior or skills - ask about spontaneous exceptions first, hedge what you do offer

What it is not: Mentoring Watch self disclosure Watch teaching Avoid dual relationships

What works best Specific task or goal Relationship is to task Collaborative approach Defined desired outcome

Techniques which directly translate : Goal setting Visualizing the goal or thickening the description Scaling Noting exceptions Homework

Techniques to use with caution: Miracle question Genogram Expanding the system These are all great techniques, but if you completely lose task focus, you may encounter legal or ethical difficulties

New Techniques: Giving information - from multiple perspectives, without attachment Developing step by step strategies

A Mini Example 17 year old in alternative to suspension program for cursing teacher Catalyst was learning music program had been cut Deceased father was jazz musician; 17 year old has strong interest Outcomes: Mother and 17 year old worked together as team to apply him to music magnet program ( one of several options we brainstormed with them), and to produce multiple mutually exciting college plans Referral to family therapy at their request for grief issues

It would have been wrong (in my view): To ignore request for family therapy and desire to talk about grief issues Or to ignore immediate need to give 17 year old educational options and mother hope for future In this case, dividing line between coaching and therapy relatively clear Mother referred to her son's "advocate" and to her own desire for a "therapist" In this case, two locations and two teams - but can be two stages of work with one person

Techniques: Relatively high level of transparency has led to use of acronyms (to follow) Journals often kept between sessions Brainstorming time may include resources given by coach - again, without investment, with appropriate but not excessive guidance (e.g. Website or phone number or time interpreter available)

OSKAR: Outcome (desired) Scaling Know-how and Resources Affirm and Commit to Action Review (Jackson & McKergow, 2007)

EARS: Elicit positive changes Amplify (may include resources) Reinforce Start again (Berg & Szabo, 2005)

ROPE: Recall at least three times when you were the person you want to be Organize your memories - what do these times have in common? Present and future - what can you do now that is like that? What can you do in the future that is like that but more? (Resources) Expand on these goals - tell others about them (Systemic Change in Schools, note use of second person voice, also used as reflective journaling task)

It is very important: To contract clearly To cover issues of confidentiality To cover issues of access (cell phone etc.) To cover issues of payment (by the hour or by the application, or by the project - avoid guarantees)

Certification Most prevalent: As independent educational consultant (special needs or college coach) for credentialling; for networking alone 50 visits; 35 students advised; master's; 3 years experience for full certification (IECA) Associate and student membership

But who hires a college coach? 26 percent of parents with a high achieving high school aged child (defined as 1150 on the SAT and above) (Newsweek September 2010) 160,000 in 2009 (NYT 2/29/2012) Rapid growth projected Consider also parents with lower achieving and special needs children, and adults returning to school or graduate school

Career Coach Masters degree - apply through ACA Extra credentials for licensed therapists and for experience Also welcomes college counselors

Life Coach? - in Canada - solution focused coach - either graduate from ICF accredited program or submit portfolio including videotape - experience first Buyer beware: many sites sell expensive training programs disguised as credentials; also, this is most "suspect"area due to similarity to therapy Most accepted when practiced by licensed therapist

Future Directions Health and wellness coaches - Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School ( - interest only requirementwww.instituteofcoaching.org Image consultants exam including color theory and fashion historywww.aici.org Business coach usually business degree requiredwww.wabccoaches.com Executive and leadership coaches - moving into life coach type area - see For general SFBT practitioner training, see And?

Opportunity and also Warning Psychology Today listing experience - certificate alone Reminiscent of early family therapy days Opportunity to sidestep the medical model and to some extent diagnosis; opportunity to side step state regulation ( for a while, and that comes with dangers) Back to cash practice and away from insurance Interesting addition to practice

Motivational Interviewing W.R. Miller, behavioral psychologist interested in problem drinking Analyzed more successful therapists in program Focus on goals and reinforcement of change talk - less focus than SFBT on interactional context and on spontaneous exceptions Evidence based, in wide use in mandated contexts

Appreciative Inquiry: Coaching for a whole organization Affirmative topic choice 4 steps: Discovery (correlates with exceptions); Dream (correlates with expansions or miracle); Design (how can organization do more of what is working); Destiny (formerly delivery) to contact David Cooperrider