Understanding that solution-focused therapists operate under the assumption that clients already have the necessary skills to solve their problems, it is our job as therapists to help them regain insight into their problems. Therefore, it is understandable why solution-focused therapy is considered a brief therapeutic approach. If the clients already have the ability to solve their own issues then they just need to be reminded of their strengths and resources, shifting the focus. In the vignette, it is mentioned that the client Julie, a 34-year-old African American female, is calling about her son 12-year-old son Derik, who seems to be having an adjustment issue relating to her recent marriage to John. Although Julie indicated that she is calling on behalf of her son’s adjustment problem, she spends most of the time talking about her dissatisfaction at work and within her romantic life. When approaching this case through a solution-focused lens, I would stress to her that anyone who is concerned about the problem situation (Derik’s adjustment problem, although it is apparent there are other issues) should attend the sessions. In the initial intake phase, little information is taken, understanding that the client is the expert in what needs to change; as the therapist, my role is to help her access the strengths she already possesses. The assessment phase of therapy will begin by directly asking the client what would be different in her life when the problems are solved.
This paper will focus on client’s presenting concerns and her biopsysocial system. Reader will explore how Solution Focused Therapy and Harm Reduction Therapy are relevant to client’s problems and why they would be most effective for client. Two intervention models that are relevant to the theories chosen will be outlined and how they relate to the client. An intervention plan that includes goals for the client will be evaluated and measured. Finally, the paper will discuss how the model chosen for intervention will have an impact on the macro level of change.
Constant assessment of the clients’ problems and cognitions is very important in evaluating if techniques are being effective. Often in the beginning there is an extensive interview process that can last several hours. This interview gives the therapist insight into the client’s past, what the current problems are, and client goals. The interview will allow the therapist to set up a structured plan for how the therapy will proceed.
Solution focused therapy is a model of therapy developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg in the late 1970's (Dolan, n.d.). This model has become well known for its non-traditional approach to client problems as it does not explore clients issues in relation to their cause and affect but rather the goals and solutions to achieving a future free of any present issues. i will be discussing the evident concepts, principles and intervention techniques of this particular model. it will be explored in the context of a case scenario of a therapy session to observe how the model can be actively applied to therapy sessions and why this is the best model to meet the client's needs. The effectiveness of the model
Solution-focused therapy is different from narrative and collaborative therapy because it focuses more on discovering solutions to problems by asking miracle and scaling questions (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013). Solution-focused therapists utilize miracle and scaling questions to help clients change their thoughts and behavior. Miracle questions challenge clients to think about what their lives could be like if all their problems suddenly went away and were solved (Henderson & Thompson, 2016). Scaling questions challenge the client to magnify their view of the current circumstance (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013). Solution-focused therapy is also different from narrative and collaborative therapy because the counselor leads the counseling session. Counselors lay out clear expectations for their clients to change, and expect them to actively participate in counseling so change occurs. The third difference between the three approaches is that solution-focused therapy is complaint-based, while narrative and collaborative therapy is not (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013). Clients come to counseling with a complaint, and counselors typically work with those who ready and willing to change. Another difference is that solution-focused therapy consists of five steps, which are “co-constructing a problem and goal, identifying and amplifying exceptions, assigning tasks, evaluating effectiveness, and reevaluating problems and goals” (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013, p. 382). Collaborative and narrative therapy do not follow these five
A few of the techniques explains to the client which technique words and what doesn’t in a family setting. In the beginning, it’s more about bringing out concerns more than something that may or may not be taking place in the household. Solution-Focused Therapy also focuses on goals and helpful strategies. The true purpose for this type of therapy is focusing on family strengths. One example of the solution-focused therapy is the formula first session task. This task is an example of showing the family what helps. Also, the counselor is constantly asking questions and doing observations to see how well things go when the family leaves therapy. Another example is the exception question. This is usually the counselor looking at the family and
The solution-focused theory (SFBT) is not actually theory based, but was pragmatically developed (De Shazer, & Dolan, 2012). ). The reason why the social worker chose this approach during the interview was largely due to the fact that the patient doesn’t have an exact reason for her mild depression or drug abuse problem. The SFBT approach focuses on how a solution may not necessarily directly be related to the problem (De Shazer, & Dolan, 2012). SFBT focuses almost exclusively on the present and the future, the client is an optimistic person who does not believe that her problems are stemming from her past making this approach favorable to the social worker and the patient.
When viewing this family in a Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) lens, we would focus on the solutions rather than the problem. Although the initial assessment would be similar to that of structural and strategic therapy, all of these issues would be explore, we would focus on the solutions rather than the problem. Although the initial assessment would be similar to that of structural and strategic therapy, all of these issues would be explored in a way that allowed for less “problem talk” and more solution based ideas.
This approach allows for a close relationship, which will foster trust, and will ensure that there is mutual understanding of the problem, and the best interventions in order to solve the problem (Henonin, 2010). This approach allows for the client to practice self-autonomy, by giving the client power over what interventions they believe will comprehensively solve the problem that is evident in their life (Henonin, 2010). Furthermore, the client and the social worker may have different understandings of the problem or circumstances that are taking place. Therefore, the first steps of the problem solving approach are crucial in fostering mutual understanding, in order to ensure that both the social worker and the client are on the same page before a proper intervention can be formulated (Henonin, 2010). Additionally, it is incredibly important that throughout the intervention, the social worker garners feedback, and performs “check-ups” with the client in order to ensure that the intervention is having a positive impact (Henonin, 2010). Performing routine check ups, ensures that interventions are working properly, and the client’s voice remains heard. Furthermore, routine check ups ensure that the social worker completely understands the problem at hand, and can be privy to any new information regarding the circumstances of the
As Insoo Kim Berg, MSW and Steve de Shazer, M.S. (Solution Focused, n.d), explained the theoretical underpinnings of Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) in this week's video, I made note of several similarities and differences between SFT and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). One of the first things Insoo Kim Berg, MSW mentioned was the difference between who was considered the expert: the client or the therapist. SFT views the client as the expert above all else. Steve de Shazer indicated that the client and the therapist often had a difference of opinion as to what a successful solution looked like, and since the client is the customer and the one who has to live with the outcome, it is they who gets to
The therapist helps the client identify particular concerns and how this could possibly help or hinder their recovery. Being able to discuss these concerns and receiving a different perspective can help the client view them in a bigger context. Thus allowing them to begin to stabilize and normalize their environment. This new acceptance will then allow the client to see all the different possibilities for a better life.
Family therapy is a technique that has many alternative approaches to every aspect of treatment which Nichols (2014), states may present a challenge when describing a basic technique. The two models of family therapy in which I feel that I would be most effective and comfortable with would be, experiential family therapy and solution-focused brief therapy. I feel most comfortable with these models because, I adapt to the role of the therapist of both therapies naturally. According to Nichols (2014), when families seek therapy they are stuck in a life-cycle transition, sometimes they are obvious and sometimes they are not obvious. I’ve found that during the first session an excellent question is to ask the client why now so that they can
Clt was responsive and present throughout the session. The counselor asked the clt to talk about what is going on in her life currently. She reported many aspects of her life such as, employment, family, and current housing. The clt reported specifically that she loves to work however, she has experienced a language barrier in many of her positions. As a result the clt decided to resign. The clt also reported having a desire to cry often. “Crying makes me feel better”, she reported. The counselor asked about the clt’s current mood. The clt reported feeling happy. The clt reported having many hobbies and acknowledges that she has a mental illness. The clt reported that the medication she is currently taking is not working for her as evidence by her letting the counselor know that she feels like life is in fast pace for her every
This essay is going to highlight the similarly and differences of the models and their main focus, and how the two models Gerald Egan The Skilled Helper and Steve De-Shazer Solution Focused Therapy will help the clients choose goals that best fit their environment and resources. The aim of using these models is to help people.
The therapist’s role is to lead the client to behavioral change and to assist in an effective and efficient way. Solution focused therapist believe that the client is the expert in their own life and are capable to solve their
This paper uses the application, concepts and techniques from The Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and The Satir Model under Family Therapy in working with the case study of George.