Solution-focused Theory

Question 1

What is the general idea of solution-based therapy?

Answer 1

The focus is on moving clients toward enacting solutions, or envisioning possible solutions. It works toward a solution without hypothesizing a problem or its cause.

Question 2

What adorable couple developed Solution-Focused Brief Therapy?

Answer 2

Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg

Question 3

What is the Miracle Question?

Answer 3

Suppose one night, while you are asleep, a miracle happened and fixed this problem. Only you are asleep, so you don’t know it happened. What would be different? How would you know a miracle happened?

Question 4

What are some alternate questions?

Answer 4

Crystal Ball Question: “Imagine I had a crystal ball that could see into the future where all your problems that you came here for are resolved. What would you see?”

Magic Wand Question: “Imagine I waved a magic wand and your problems were solved. What would you be doing differently? What would others be doing differently?” (Great question for kids)

Time Machine Question: “A time machine takes you into future where problems are resolved. What is happening? Who are you with? How is your life different?”

Question 5

What is a scaling question?

Answer 5

Have the clients define their goals or rate their progress on a scale from 0-10. If they are at a 4, how can they get to a 5?

Question 6

What are exception questions?

Answer 6

Are there any times when the problem is less likely to occur or be less severe?
Can you think of a time when you expected the problem to occur but it didn’t?
Are there any people who seem to make things easier?
Are there places or times when the problem is not as bad?

Question 7

What is the difference between a visitor, a complainant, and a customer?

Answer 7

Visitors

• Do not have a complaint, but others generally have a complaint against them
• Are typically brought to therapy by an outsider other, such as courts, parents, or spouse

Complainants

• Identify a problem but expect therapy or some other person to be the primary source of change
• Are there to have their problems fixed by an expert

Customers
- Identify a problem and want to take action toward the solution