The Power of Solution-focused Therapy in Healing and Coping

Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) is one of the four social construction models, it directs clients to seek a solution rather than searching for an explanation about their problems. Solution-Focused Therapy as stated in the essay is focuses on the future with minimal discussion of the clients’ past or present problems and interventions aiming at the solution. In solution-focused therapy, clients use language to focus on reality by creating solutions to their problems and evoke cognitive change. It is psychotherapeutic, emphasizes clients’ words, respects their views, and poses no pressure for change.

History and Leading Figures in Solution-Focused Therapy

Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, Yvonne Dolan, and Eve Lipchik are some of the leading figures for solution –focused theory. SFT was first developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s by a social worker Steve de Shazer, his Korean wife Insoo Kim Berg, and associates that joined at one point or another. Michele Weiner- Davis joined the team in 1993 at the brief family therapy in Milwaukee, Scott Miller in 1994 and Eve Lipchik joined in 2002. Steve de Shazer while at the Mental Research Institute (MRI) in Palo Alto, California worked with John Weakland, who was one of the founders of brief strategic family therapy. John Weakland based this brief strategic family therapy on ‘the interactional view’ in which clients’ problems were viewed as happening between rather than within people. Therefore, the early solution-focused theory was closely identified with the strategic approach to family therapy and incorporated some of the indirect therapeutic techniques of Milton Erikson.

Milton Erickson's therapeutic techniques and the MRI model of brief therapy influenced the development of SFT. Also, the concept of language games developed by the linguistic philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein was incorporated in SFT. A language game means that the conversation individuals engaged in can be used to determine their reality. De Shazer and his team members see the MRI’s problem focused philosophy as limitations. In MRI therapy clients are directed to change behavior that has not worked for them. While in solution-focused therapy known as the Milwaukee model clients are directed to change their cognition as new ways to deal with the problem. So, the modification of MRI problem-focused brief therapy birthed the solution-focused brief therapy of Milwaukee.

Development Process of Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)

There have been continuous developments since the birth of solution-focused brief therapy in the 1980s, which is significant in the United Kingdom context. Steve de Shazer became the main representative of SFT because he wrote more articles than his colleagues. de Shazer explored and collaborated with other researchers to modify some existing theories. The shift from problem-focused to solution-focused therapy was gradual and lasted for many years. Along the line, many brief models were developed from the solution-focused theory. The brief solution rituals therapy was developed to accommodate clients’ spiritual and emotional parts. Furthermore, Steve de Shazer and his colleagues did a lot of conference presentations, reviewed submitted articles, and trained therapists to disseminate, articulate, and modify the existing theories.

In the late 1980s, a team of London-based family therapists read some of the articles written by Steve de Shazer and adopted the SFT model in their practice. Also, Chris Iveson, Evan George, and Harvey Ratner became aware of the potential and values of solution-focused therapy. Based on this awareness developed the brief therapy practice known as BRIEF. Studies show that solution-focused therapy is recognized internationally and believed to be one of the fastest-growing therapy in the school of family therapy. In addition, qualitative interview with some of the founders of solution-focused therapy shows that interpersonal, intrapersonal, certain climatic conditions, and dynamics were important for solution-focused theory’s development to take place. It is observed that the founders' relationship to their surrounding environment and group activities was found to encourage the solution-focused therapy development process. After the death of Steve de Shazer in 2005 and his wife in 2007, Lipchik and Weiner-Davis continued the practice of solution-focused therapy in Milwaukee while Miller practiced in Chicago.

Basic Assumptions, Structures, Techniques and Efficiency of SFT

Steve de Shazer and his team had some assumptions that provided the framework for solution-focused therapy. They assumed that clients want to change, clients are ready to focus on present and future, and believed the therapeutic dialogue shift from “problem talk” to “solution talk”. SFT therapist-client relationship is key where the clients have a sense of hope. They believed that clients have strengths that can help them snowball small change to a bigger change. Finally, solutions are assumed not necessarily related to problems. As these assumptions are considered, the founders of solution-focused theory believed that everyone and every solution is unique.

Based on these assumptions, a common approach used in solution-focused therapy is the goal-setting language to help clients focus on solution talk. Most times client’s response to goal setting questions like “What is your goal for coming for counseling?” depends on their negative or positive goal mindset. There are three basic types of therapeutic questions that are often used during the initial session of the solution-focused approach. These questions are miracle, exception and scaling questions.

First is the miracle question, the solution-focused therapists use this question to help clients “think out of the Box” and redirect their minds to a brighter future regardless of the path chosen. The miracle questions focus on how clients imagine having problems gone will make a difference and serves as a solution amplification. A miracle question can go like this; If a miracle happened tonight and you wake up tomorrow to find out that the problem that brought you to therapy has been resolved. What would be the first thing you will do? Who will you first notify? What would their reaction be? What are the major things that they will notice? What would their reaction be? And how would you react in return?'. Clients' responses may get their minds engaged with positive thinking about a better future.

Second is the exception questions that come up after the series of miracle questions have thoroughly addressed. These questions relate to the client’s social life, it helps the clients think about the good times they have spent with their family members. Clients' responses allow them to know that life is not all about problems, so they need to find a way to resolve the present problems. Last is the Scaling questions, once the exception questions are successfully mined during the session. Clients are asked to scale their problems on a scale of 0-10, where 10 their present level and 0 is when things were worse. Clients' answers help counselors to know the level of their problem for the integration of an appropriate intervention. Also, the scaling questions allow therapists to track clients' progress during the counseling session and the effectiveness of the intervention used.

The application of intervention is next in the structure of the solution-focused therapy (SFT) model. The therapist initiates the intervention by asking clients if they agree to feedback. The feedback reflects the session, appraises where appropriate and includes way forward. After feedback, the therapist will give the clients an achievable, realistic, and measurable tasks that are related to their therapeutic input. The therapist will complement the clients as a way of encouraging them to achieve their goals. The aim of complimentary is to remind the clients that they are properly exhibiting resiliency in the face of their problem. The scaling questions can be applied after the intervention to track its effectiveness.

Many researchers are interested in studying the effectiveness of SFT on various levels. For example, researches provide support for the use of SFBT, concerning internalizing and externalizing child behavior problems. They found out that SFBT is effective as an early intervention when presenting problems that are not severe. Also, Chinese researchers carried out studies on the effectiveness of solution-focused therapy with some Asian cultured families. Their result reveals that SFT strengthened the family bond and is multiculturally based. Furthermore, De Castro and Guterman carried out studies on the effectiveness of SFT with a group of family with suicide issues. They found out that solution-focused therapy is a fit model for families coping with suicide. The SFT approach allows the application of a variety of techniques and directs the treatment to family members, thereby foster a cooperative approach. SFT has continuously ground itself in research evidence and has considerable empirical support.

Similarities VS Dissimilarities in SFT and Other Theories

The similarity in the family therapy theories is that they all have the main goal of restoring tranquility in families irrespective of their preferred approach. However, solution-focused and narrative therapy are complementary because they are based on postmodernism philosophy. Solution-focused and narrative therapists are trained to be clients centered, focus on the solution and not the problem. The major dissimilarity of solution-focused therapists from other theories can be seen in their therapeutic roles. The solution-focused therapists are client-centered, offer hope and are cheerleaders or coaches. On the other hand, psychoeducational therapists facilitate family learning management skills and maintains supportive partnerships with family. Cognitive/ behavioral therapists are trainers and teachers). While strategic family therapists are active, manipulative and problem-focused and experiential therapists are egalitarians.

Personal Reflections and Viewpoints About SFT

I carry out my daily and professional duties from a Christian worldview. And I see a lot of similarities between some of the Bible verses and the solution-focused theory approach in family counseling. Therefore, I can easily relate to solution-focused therapy’s assumptions and goals. For example, SFT is simple and it directs the clients’ focus on the solution rather than the problem, this concept relates to the Bible verse that encourages us to cast our burden upon the Lord and He will sustain us, and He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. In SFT clients are encouraged to lay away their problems, this will relate to another bible verse that extols us to look at Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. As a Christian counselor-in-training, I found SFT as a practicable approach in family counseling. In my opinion, it means that clients should be optimistic and not cry over spilled milk. This shows that this therapist will direct clients to forget about the problem and hope for a better tomorrow, the Bible also tells us to endure with the encouragement of the words of God so we might have hope. Finally, since this therapy is brief, I believe that my faith can be integrated with SFT in my practice for the effective treatment of my clients.

Integration of Principles and Techniques of SFT in Practice

As a Christian therapist, I found out that Solution-focused therapy is related to some Bible verses and can help me in my counseling career to give hope to the hopeless in a short period. The principles and techniques of solution-focused therapy can be integrated into my Christian faith to carry out my professional duty. First, the main principle of SFT is about positive change in the client's situation when this is successful the client achieves a cognitive change. This main principle in the solution-focused therapy directs me to the bible verse that says if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here. Our faith in the Lord can lead to change that will turn us into new creatures just like clients come for therapy to seek a better way of life.

The second principle of solution-focused therapy that I can integrate into my counseling practice is that the therapist brings up the expectation that change occurs by setting the stage for dialogue. As Christians, our dialogue with the Lord can be described as “solution talk” just like the SFT. Christians are children of God and they can dialogue with the heavenly father about their challenges and He will surely give the solution. Therefore, as a therapist, I am trained to listen and dialogue with my clients so that I can properly direct them to achieve a great result.

Third, Steve de Shazer seems a good Christian because of the metaphor used in the SFT approach. According to Shazer, the complaints counselee brings to the session are like locks on the door that could open to a more satisfyin life, if only the Skeleton key can be found. This is so important to me because as a Christian, I believe Jesus Christ is the master key to open all the door locks to a better tomorrow. It will be delightful and interesting to remember these principles while carrying out my duty as a therapist.

Last, the three therapeutic questions can be utilized with both the literate and illiterate community members in my country. The questions are simple and understandable, and responses will quickly lead the counselees to their solution. For example, when counseling a widow with a rebellious daughter, I can ask her to imagine waking up the next day and found out that her rebellious daughter has changed and doing well in school. This miracle question will show her that God is a miracle worker and there is nothing too difficult for Him. The exception question will help the woman think about the happy time before and after the loss of her husband. And can explore what makes her happy and things that can be done to make the happy moment reoccur now and in the future. Her responses to these questions will surely bring a smile to her face. Scaling questions can then be used to monitor and track the woman's progress towards her goal. These questions are simple, interesting and clients do not have to be well educated to answer. Therefore, in carrying out my duty as a counselor for the traumatized families, I realized that the effect of SFT is based on counselee’s strength and their view to change.

Conclusion and Final Reflections

My goal is to help couples, traumatized widows, abused girls by integrating Christianity with solution-focused therapy. I am optimistic that there is hope no matter the challenges of life hence my reason for embracing this approach. SFT helps clients to learn new thinking skills and incorporate more adaptive behavior that will help them face the difficult circumstances of life. So, SFT direst clients to divert their strengths to achieve a solution to their problem. Therefore, I will work with my clients using this approach to discover their strengths and support them to channel it towards living a better life. Although I value my Christian faith, I will not impose my belief or values on my clients. As a competent counselor, I am committed to following the ethical guidelines of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) code of ethics. AAMFT standard 1.1 states that Marriage and family therapists provide professional assistance to persons without discrimination based on race, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, health status, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status.

Finally, I adopted the solution focused therapy as an approach to family counseling because of its effectiveness in the treatment of children, and domestic abuse offenders. In addition, it leads in the school of brief therapy, practicable, goal- driven, and easy integration of spirituality. As a counselor who is an encourager, an ambassador for Christ this approach makes a lot of meaning to me because I can use it to effectively counsel my clients who are Africans. According to Connie, SFT can be effectively used with any clients irrespective of their culture, religion, or social economic status.

The knowledge gained from writing the paper on solution-focused theory as an approach in family counseling cannot be quantified. I learned that the SFT is client-focused where clients can express themselves and their suggested solutions are validated. The overall session in the solution-focused brief therapy can be as short as two sessions. I realized that solution-focused therapy is simple, practicable and spirituality can be integrated. Finally, from the perspective of a new learner, it provides a framework that facilitates the development of skills.

References

1. de Shazer, S. (1985). Keys to Solution in Brief Therapy. Norton & Company.

2. Berg, I. K., & Dolan, Y. (2001). Tales of Solutions: A Collection of Hope-Inspiring Stories. W. W. Norton & Company

3. O'Connell, B., & Palmer, S. (2015). Solution-focused therapy: Theory, research & practice. Sage Publications.

4. Miller, S. D., Hubble, M. A., & Duncan, B. L. (1996). Handbook of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Jossey-Bass.

5. Franklin, C., & Inman, A. G. (2019). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. The Oxford Handbook of Treatment Processes and Outcomes in Psychology. Oxford University Press.

6. Kim, J. S., & Franklin, C. (2018). Integrating the brain and body in psychotherapy: An introduction to the use of neuroscience in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 28(1), 5-18.

7. Gingerich, W. J., & Eisengart, S. (2000). Solution-focused brief therapy: A review of the outcome research. Family Process, 39(4), 477-498.

8. Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Callanan, P. (2018). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. Cengage Learning.

9. Yalom, I. D. (1989). Love's Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy. Basic Books.

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10. Lethem, J. (2017). Solution-focused therapy for the helping professions: A practical guide. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.