Solution Focused Therapy Flashcards
Primary contributors
Steven De Shazer
Insoo Kim Berg
Main Ideas of Solution Focused
Post-Modern. Given its focus on the subjective, lived reality of each individual and guiding therapy in a way that promotes new ways of interpreting experience- both individually and collectively- concepts of social constructivism flow throughout this approach to therapy
Visitor
One of three types of clients in Solution Focused Therapy. Visitors are agreeable to attend therapy but are not willing to put forth effort to change
Miracle Question
The therapist will ask the client to describe what their lives would look like without the problem, as well as define what would be different to the point that they would know that the problem was resolved or no longer present. This questions comprises components of assessment, goal setting and intervention
Hope
The therapist is intentional about maintaining the presence of hope that things will improve and get better for the client
Strengths and Resources
During the assessment and throughout the ongoing process, the therapist maintains a focus on the client’s strengths and resources, as these will likely serve as a component to resolving the presenting problem
Solution and Future Focus
The concept that the therapist does not need to understand the problem in order to resolve it as the solution is often unrelated to the problem. Maintaining a future focus of what works is what will bring relief to the individual/family.
Scaling Questions
Therapists will often put questions in the form of a 10-point scale to measure progress. Emphasis is always drawn to the positivity associated with the number not being lower than it could be. For instance, if the client rates his depression as a three, the therapist will celebrate that the depression is not a two.
Language and Meaning
By attending to the language and meaning used by clients, therapists can gain an understanding of their lived reality and how they experience the meaning of situations, relationships, others, and self
Formula First Session Task
The therapist will use the first session to shift the attention of the individual or family toward the overlooked positive aspects of their situation. This occurs through illuminating upon times when the problem is not present as well as explores strengths and resources. this sets the stage for therapy being solution-focused as opposed to problem-focused
Exception Questions
Questions that have clients reflect on times when the problem was not present, of when the problem was not a problem
Customer
One of the three types of clients in solution-focused therapy. Customers acknowledge that there is a problem, are willing to accept their role in it, and are engaged in putting forth effort toward change
Compliments
Therapists will intentionally and consistently compliment and reflect upon client’s efforts, strengths, and improvements throughout the entire discourse of therapy
Complainant
One of the three types of clients in SFT. Complainants are willing to acknowledge that there is a problem, but unwilling to acknowledge their role in it and instead keep focus on others.
Change is Constant
SFT views that change is inevitable and constant, that they clients situation is always in flux although these changes often go overlooked.
