SOLUTION-FOCUSED
BASED THERAPY
Submitted by: DS Raksha
Submitted to: Fr. Rohan Dias
n t e n t
C o
1. Objectives
2. About the founders
3. Key concepts
4. The process of SFBT
5. Therapeutic Goals
6. Key techniques
of SFBT
Steve De Shazer
Insoo Kim Berg
Key Concepts
Unique Focus of SFBT
Positive Orientation
Looking for What Is Working
Basic Assumptions Guiding Practice
Unique Focus of SFBT
Dwelling on unresolved Present possibilities and
past or current problems future solutions
Understand the root Focus on what can be
causes achieved
Shazer-there isn't always a direct connection between the cause and the solution
Positive Orientation
Optimistic worldview- Individual competence
Hope and optimism- Change is achievable
Focus on solutions
Empowering approach
Reframing- ‘Problem-saturated stories’-
White and Epston (1990)
Looking for what is working
Focus on strengths
Reinforce- change is impossible
Hope and motivation
When clients identify effective strategies, they
should use them more; if something isn't working,
they should try a different approach
Basic Assumptions Guiding Practice
Individuals have the capability of behaving effectively --> temporarily blocked by
negative cognitions. Problem-focused thinking prevents people from recognising
effective ways they have dealt with problems.
There are advantages to a positive focus on solutions and on the future. If clients
can reorient themselves in the direction of their strengths using solution-talk,
there is a good chance therapy can be brief.
There are exceptions to every problem. These can get clues to effective solutions
and can gain control over what seems to be an insurmountable personal difficulty.
Clients often present only one side of themselves. Solution-focused therapists
invite clients to examine another side of the story they are presenting.
No problem is constant, and change is inevitable. What people need to do is become
aware of any positive changes that are happening. Small changes pave the way for
larger changes, and these changes are often all that is needed to resolve.
Clients are doing their best to make change happen. Therapists should adopt a
cooperative stance with clients rather than devising strategies to control resistive
patterns.
Clients can be trusted in their intention to solve their problems. Therapists assume
that clients want to change, can change, and will change under cooperative and
empowering therapeutic conditions. There are no “right” solutions to specific
problems that can be applied to all people.
THERAPEUTIC
The Importance of Client-Centered Goals
Setting Goals in the Early Stages of Therapy
Client Expectations and Concerns
Creating a Conducive Climate
Exploring Possibilities
Small, Achievable Goals
Solution-Focused Questioning Techniques
Presupposing Change
Offering Multiple Answers
Goal-Directed and Future-Oriented
Amplifying Progress
Characteristics of Effective Goals
Client-Centered
Action-Oriented
Attainable, Concrete, Specific, and Measurable
Client-Controlled
Avoiding Imposed Agendas
Power of Positive Language
John J Murphy
The Process of SFBT
Listen Select Build
A PRESUPPOSITION is asking questions with the
assumption that our clients are capable of change and
they have past experiences, strengths, skills, and
characteristics that will enable the change that they
are looking for.
Therapist: So, umm. Is it okay if we start like, uh [Pause]? What will have to happen as a result of you
coming here today – for you to feel that it’s been somewhat useful to be here?
Client: Maybe just to sort together everything I’m—--I’m feeling. I don’t exactly know what that is yet. I
don’t - I don’t exactly know what’s bothering me, like– I mean, I— I’m in the process of going through a
divorce, so— I’m sure that’s the majority of it.
Therapist: Mm, Mm.
Client: I just recently haven’t been able to sleep too well, ‘n—[pause] So I thought maybe this might—
[pause] help me sort out—whatever I need to—“
Therapist: Right.
Client: --to get my life [slight pause] back together. [smile and slight laugh]
So she expresses that:
1 She wants to sort everything she feels together.
2 She doesn't know what that is, yet
3 She doesn't know what is bothering her.
4 She is in the process of going through a divorce,
and she thinks this is the majority of it.
5 She hasn't slept well recently.
6 She thinks therapy might help her.
7 She needs to sort something out.
8 She wants to get her life together.
Therapist: Help you sort something out to get your life together. [Then nods and looks up at
her; slight pause; then asks, while gesturing toward her:] So what would be a feeling, ah, a
thought, an action, something you would do or think or feel that would tell you that you were
sort of getting your life together?
Client: Umm—[pause]
Therapist: --this afternoon or tomorrow?
Client: I guess, like—just relaxing, maybe.
Therapist: Relaxing.
Client: [slight nods and goes on to describe how this would be different]
Scaling Questions Exceptions
Key
TECHNIQUES
Miracle Questions Compliments
Relationship Experiment &
Questions Homework
SCALING Q U E S T I O N S
MEASURE PROGRESS,
DISCUSS SUBJECTIVE
MOTIVATION, SCALE FROM 0 TO 10
EXPERIENCES
CONFIDENCE
EXAMPLE: RATING CURRENT FEELINGS
EXCEPTIONS
Identify
successful
strategies
Explore
times when Discover
the problem strengths and
did not resources
occur
MIRACLE
QUESTION Envision problem Clarify desired changes
resolution and goals
Shift focus to outcomes
COMPLIMENTS
Reinforce strengths, efforts,
achievements
Example: Acknowledging a client’s Consider the impact on
new stress management approach relationships
Example: “How would others
react if this problem were
solved?
RELATIONSHIP QUESTIONS
EXPERIMENTS
AND HOMEWORK
ASSIGNMENTS
Client-designed vs. therapist-assigned
Client-initiated tasks for higher effectiveness
Advantages: Familiarity, relevance, reduced resistance
Evaluating progress
Identify improvements at each session
Focus on maintaining progress
Use compliments and experiments
Handling homework outcomes
Completed and effective: Compliment and maintain
Not completed: Explore alternatives
Completed but ineffective: Understand and support
THANK
YOU!