1. Chapter 15
Solution-Focused Therapy

2. Solution-Focused Therapy
One of the most recent theoretical developments in the field of counseling.
Although it grew out of strategic therapy, it differs in that it concentrates on finding solutions instead of dealing with problems.

3. Steve deShazer Identifies his theory as brief family therapy.
In the late 1970s, was involved in the establishment of the Brief Family Therapy Center.
Employs a team in his work whenever possible and describes it as an ecosystemic approach.

4. Bill O’Hanlon
Entered the therapeutic world because of his interest in his own life. As an adolescent he was unhappy and shy and as a college student he felt isolated and uncomfortable in the world.
In 1980, he set out to become a major proponent of solution-focused theory, which he now prefers to call possibility therapy.

5. View of Human Nature/Personality
Built on the philosophy of social constructionism – it includes social context or cultural context of people or families.
Constructivism – reality is not an objective entity, but a reflection of observation and experience.
At the foundation is the belief that dysfunctional people get “stuck” in dealing with problems and use unsatisfactory methods to solve their difficulties.

6. View of Human Nature/Personality
Major premise is that people really want to change.
A final concept underlying the approach is that only a small amount of change is necessary.

7. Roles of the Counselor/Therapist
Construct solutions in collaboration with clients.
Determine how active clients will be in the process of change.
Act as a “facilitator of change” by enabling clients to access resources they already have but are not aware of (Cleveland & Lindsey, 1995).
Positive assumptions about change are constantly conveyed to clients.

8. Roles of the Counselor/Therapist
Mapping, or sketching out, of the course of successful intervention.
Encourage individuals and families to make small changes and to do so rapidly.
Do not distinguish between short- and long-term problems, because such a distinction is irrelevant.

9. Goals
Concentrates on encouraging clients to seek solutions and tap internal resources.
Unlock set views, be creative,and generate novel approaches.
Identifying what is a problem and what is not a problem is key.
Emphasize general ways of behaving and viewing situations.
Orient towards the future, change focus, and reframe situations properly.

10. Process and Techniques
The focus, and hence the techniques, are on solutions, not problems.
Co-creation of a problem – for the therapeutic process to be productive an agreement must be made as to which problem must be solved.
Miracle Questions – one manner in asking clients for a hypothetical solution to their situation.

11. Process and Techniques
Does not focus on a detailed personal or family history of problems.
A foundational belief of this approach is that causal understanding is unnecessary.
Focus on Exceptions – look for “negative” or “positive” space.
Scaling – where questions are asked using a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) to help clients move towards their goals.

12. Interventions
“Between now and next time we meet, we (I) want you to observe,so that you can tell us (me) next time, what happens in your (life, marriage, family, or relationship) that you want to continue to happen.”
“Do something different.”

13. Interventions
“Pay attention to what you do when you overcome the temptation or urge to … perform the symptom or some behavior associated with the complaint.”
“A lot of people in your situation would have…”
“Write, read, and burn your thoughts.”

14. Multicultural and Gender-Sensitive Issues
Solution-focused therapy has made strides in recent years to make itself more sensitive to and applicable for different cultural groups.
Solution-focused therapy is also sensitive to gender issues.

15. Strengths and Contributions
Concentrates on, and is directed by, a person’s or family’s theory (i.e, their story).
Assists individuals and families in defining their situations clearly, precisely, and with possibilities.
The past is not emphasized, except when it calls attention to the present.

16. Strengths and Contributions
Does not focus on clinical understanding of clients’ situations by either clients or therapists…focus is on change.
Empowering and meant to assist in assessing and utilizing resources.
Achievable goals are emphasized.
Extremely flexible.

17. Limitations and Criticisms
Virtually no attention is paid to the history of people.
Ends when an agreed-on behavioral goal is reached.
Due to the use of teams in helping clients, the expense of treatment can be very high even if fewer sessions are required than in other approaches.

18. The Case of Linda: Solution-Focused Therapy
How would you conceptualize this case using solution-focused therapy?
What would be your treatment plan for this client using a solution-focused approach?