Gladding Ch. 15 - Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Flashcards
background
*SFBT is one of the most recent theoretical developments in family therapy.
*It follows post-modern, constructivist framework and grew out of the Mental Research
Institute strategic therapy.
*Concentrates on skills, strengths, and resources that the client possesses and finds solutions for
dealing with problems
major theorists
- Steve deShazer (1940-2005)
- Started therapeutic career at the MRI in the 1970s
- Helped found the Brief Family Therapy Center
- Insoo Kim Berg (1934-2007)
- Executive Director of the Brief Family Therapy Center
- Developed the “Miracle Question”
- Bill O’Hanlon (1952- )
- Influenced by the tutelage of Milton Erickson and the MRI
- Possibility therapy…solution based
- Michele Weiner-Davis (1952- )
- Notable author of multiple popular books about marital and family therapy
premise of theory
*Social constructionism-treatment of family or person must include their social, historical, and
cultural context
*Follows premises about families as the MRI strategic approaches-families get “stuck” dealing with
problems and use unsatisfactory methods to solve problems.
*SFBT focuses on breaking repetitive, non-productive patterns and setting more positive views of
problematic situations
*Three Basic Rules
1. If it is not broken, do not fix it.
2. Once you know what works, do more of it.
3. If something does not work, do not do it again. Do something different.
*Identifying problems vs. nonproblem or exception is a key component of SFBT
*SFBT does not focus on detailed family history
*Families really want change-there is no resistance only opportunities to learn
*Only a small amount of change is necessary-boosts confidence, optimism…ripple effect
treatment techniques
- Cocreate a problem and goal with the family-agreement on which issue they want to solve
- Asking hypothetical questions…”miracle question”
- Focus on exceptions-look for “negative” and “positive” space
- Scaling-using scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) to measure achievement of a goal
treatment techniques, ctd
*Second-order (qualitative) change-goal is to change the family’s organization and structure
*Using compliments-create written compliments and build a “yes set”
*Providing clues-alert families that some behaviors might continue, builds support and momentum
for carrying out more interventions
*Using skeleton keys-5 universal interventions that have worked
1. Between now and next time we meet…
2. Do something different…
3. Pay attention to what you do when you…
4. A lot of people in your situation would have…
5. Write, read, and burn your thoughts.
role of the therapist
- One of the first roles of the therapist is determining how active the client-family will be during the
process of change. This can look several different ways. - Visitors: These individuals are not involved in the problem or motivated. They’re the client
that does not want to be in therapy or work on resolving any issues. - Complainants: (as the name implies) These individuals complain and are aware of problems
but do not want to be involved in solving them. - Customers: These individuals can describe and are aware of the problems and are ready to
be involved in solving them.
role of the therapist, ctd
- It is important to remember that the counselor is the Facilitator of Change. This means
providing resources and insight on family strengths. The client cannot make any one person or
unit change, but they provide perspective and guidance in problem solving.
*Language of the Counselor: - Presuppositional Question: “What is something good that has happened since the last time
we met?” - Positive Blame: “How did you make that happen?”
*Recognize family behaviors & utilize practical interventions
*Encourage Small, Rapid Change
process & outcome
- Encourage client-families to seek solutions and utilize inner strengths/resources
- Pathology is not involved in the treatment process- seen as a cooperative approach
- Future-Oriented
- Shift in Focus
- Reframing
unique aspects
- Directed by the family’s theory
- Before any change happens, experiences are accepted
- Therapists help families define their situations clearly and precisely
- Not focusing in on clinical understanding but rather on change
- Challenging the client’s worldview
- Giving them skeleton keys
- Asking questions
- SFT is meant to be empowering
- Point out inner skills
- Assigning formula tasks
- Awareness exercises
- Emphasis on Achievable goals
what makes sbft different?
- What makes SFBT different?
- No attention paid to history
- Solution-Focused Therapy is Brief
- Treatment ends when the family’s goals are achieved
what makes sbft similar?
- What makes SFBT similar?
- Teams are sometimes utilized for treatment
- The goal of SFT is for families to think and act differently
multicultural limitations and implications
Multicultural Implications and Limitations
- Examining other therapy alternatives
- Muslim values surround empathy, teamwork, faith and interconnectedness
- Many therapies support autonomy individuality and decision making
- Why SFT could work:
- Emphasis on current problem
- Future-Focused
- Self-Disclosure is led by client
- Why it might not work:
- Consideration of Muslim Background
- Their issue is much larger than an individual concern
- Systematic Issues
- Family sessions: lack of trust, keeping information within the boundaries of family
history
grew out of strategic therapy, particularly the MRI model. departure from pathology-driven approaches. concentrates on skills, strengths, resources of clients. change oriented intervention w/ strengths-based approach
steve deshazer
began career at MRI. “grand old man of family therapy.” minimalist philosophy and view of process of changes as inevitable and a dynamic part of every day life.
insoo kim berg
married deshazer. set up brief family therapy center in milwaukee.
