Brief Solution Focused Therapy Flashcards
What are some notable basic assumptions associated with SFBT?
- Attempting to understand the cause of a problem is not a necessary step toward its resolution;
- Successful therapy depends on knowing where the client wants to get to;
- Problems do not represent underlying pathology or deficits;
- Sometimes only the smallest of changes is needed to set in motion a solution to the problem;
- It is the task of therapists to discover the ways in which clients are able to cooperate with therapy. The concept of resistance is considered unhelpful
What similarities does SFBT share with other therapeutic modalities covered in PSYC 508? What are some notable differences?
SFBT is a form of CBT, because the same learning principles of classical and operant conditioning are applied, and the same behavioral therapeutic process is followed. In SFBT the focus is not on the problem behavior, but on the exceptions. Focuses on increasing behavior desired by the client rather than decreasing problem behavior. Other key difference is the expert status, which is the therapist in CBT and is the client in SFBT. It also shares some qualities with person-centered therapy because the client is the expert, and with narrative therapy with its focus on externalizing the problem.
What is the therapist’s role in SFBT?
Therapist is not the expert with all the answers; he is expert in asking the right solution-focused questions and motivating behavioral change by relating to the motivation of the client. Solution-focused therapists maintain a non-pathological view of people. It is the task of therapists to discover the ways in which clients are able to cooperate with therapy. The concept of resistance is considered unhelpful
What is the client’s role in SFBT?
The client must have a goal or be able to formulate one. The client possesses resources and competences that can be drawn on.
How is the process of SFBT generally facilitated?
- pre-session change: ask about signs of solution building before first appt
- problem-free talk: therapist and client converse about other aspects of the client’s life than the problem that brought them there.
- goal-directed
- exceptions of the problem: how did you manage that?
- build up a picture of a preferred future (miracle question)
- scaling questions (on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the worst things have been and 10 is the miracle, where are you today?)
- feedback- compliments and suggestions the therapist makes at the end of a session
Under SFBT, how does positive change come about? What role does gaining a clear understanding of the client’s history or diagnosis play in facilitating positive change?
Change is brought about by focusing on future hopes and solutions rather than on problem solving.
Focuses on increasing behavior desired by the client rather than decreasing problem behavior.
Client history or diagnoses play little to no role, as the theory states that understanding the cause of a problem is not a necessary step toward its resolution, and problems do not represent underlying pathology or deficits.
What are some strengths SFBT?
- Effective in a short amount of time
- hopeful outlook
- evidence of effectiveness
- flexibility of use
Miracle question
‘Suppose that tonight, while you are sleeping, a miracle happens and the problem that has been troubling you sorts itself out overnight… what would you see the next morning that would let you know the miracle had happened? What would you find yourself doing the day after the miracle, what would others notice you doing?’
Scaling
Scaling questions provide a useful technique for moving from miracle to goal. For example, ‘on a 0 to 10 scale, where 0 represents the worst things have been and 10 is after the miracle (or at your best on a really good day), where would you say you are today?’
Exception
Asking questions to elicit examples of exceptions to the problem, that is times when a particular difficulty is less, absent or easier to cope with. For example: ‘What’s different about the times your child does listen to what you say?’
Competence (SFBT)
The client possesses resources and competences that can be drawn on.
Goal formulation in SFT
SFT is goal-directed. The client defines the goal for treatment.
Feedback
Compliments and suggestions the therapist makes at the end of a session
Evaluation
At the end of each session, assess where the client is on a scale from from the worst things could be to their miracle day.
Compliment
Compliments about the client’s strengths, resources, solution building activities and related personal qualities are highlighted are given as part of the feedback at the end of the session.
