

In any case, a sense of empowerment and self confidence cannot be imposed from without, it must come from within.Ĭoping questions can solve this dilemma while cooperating with clients as well as accepting their view of the problem. All of a sudden it is the therapist’s job to make the client feel better, not the client’s job. She/he is picking up on the therapist´s sense of helplessness and as a result may feel more out of control her/himself. The client is not reassured but typically makes even more hopeless and desperate statements. In fact, it is likely to have the opposite effect of the one intended. Reassurance does not work with these clients. As a therapist it is easy to become discouraged and hopeless about this kind of client too. Oftentimes these people have severe chronic medical problems and/or a personal history of severe abuse or mental illness. They may see themselves as powerless over their situation and complain extensively about how impossible that situation is. This can be a particularly difficult challenge when dealing with the exceptional circumstance of clients who present as completely hopeless and helpless. SF counselors invite the client to do more of what has previously worked, or to try changes they have brought up which they would like to try – frequently called "an experiment.Solution-focused therapy builds on the strengths and resources clients have to help them develop solutions that uniquely fit them and their circumstances. Inviting the clients to do more of what is working. In SF therapy, compliments are often conveyed in the form of appreciatively toned questions of “How did you do that?” that invite the client to self-compliment by virtue of answering the question. Validating what clients are already doing well, and acknowledging how difficult their problems are encourages the client to change while giving the message that the counselor has been listening and cares. For example, they may ask, "What will you be doing in the next week that would indicate to you and other that you are continuing to make progress?" This reflects the basic belief that problems are best solved by focusing on what is already working, and how a client would like their life to be, rather than focusing on the past and what isn’t wanted. The questions asked by SF counselors are usually focused on the present or on the future. To help clients see these potential solutions they may ask, "What did you (or others) do that was helpful in the past?"
#SOLUTION FOCUSED QUESTIONS HOW TO#
SF counselors have learned that most people have previously solved many problems and probably have some ideas of how to solve the current problem. For example, in taking or reviewing a whole health inventory, the client may be asked where she or he would like to be in these areas and the strategies he/he has about how to achieve these goals. In Solution Focused or Brief Therapy, the counselor and client may work on specific challenges such as improving a grade in a particular course or may set goals for many components in the client’s life. Whether we admit it or not, pre-assumptions we have about our clients are spilled over in our interactions with clients in a subtle and not so subtle manner. “ Founders”: Steve de Shazer and Insoo Berg The counselor asks the client to envision their preferred future and then, working with the counselor, the client starts to work toward achieve this goal(s).

The approach does not focus on the past, but instead focuses on the present and future. Dolan) focuses on what clients want to achieve through therapy, rather than on the problem(s) that made them seek help. Solution Focused Therapy or Brief Therapy (link to Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Its Effective Use in Agency Settings By Teri Pichot, Yvonne M. Guidelines for Teens Who Want to Thrive as Entrepreneurs - Lucille Rosettiĥ Common Lifestyle Habits That Can Cause Skin Damage - Andrew Mark Relocating After a Tragic Loss - Lucille Rosetti Help a Loved One After the Loss of a Spouse - Rufus CarterNew Page Moving Forward When Grief Intrudes in Your Life - Camille JĬoping With a Mid-Life Crisis - Rufus Carter Manage And Reduce Stress For Your Employees With These Tips - Rufus Carters Take Control of Your Life - Dorothy WatsonĨ Effective Tips for Improving Mental Health - Camille Johnson Indoor Air Quality Can Affect Mental Health - Sally W Restorative Power of Arts & Crafts - Sally Wĭocument Anxiety through Journaling - Sally WĪssisted Living Options for People with DisabilitiesĬleaning House for Better Health - Cheryl C.Ĥ Journaling Tips for Beginners - Shristi PatniĬounseling Seniors with Anxiety - Sally W Suicidal Thoughts and Alcohol Abuse - Julia W Depression and Addiction Rehab - Katherine C
