Parent Conflict
Jamie and husband Casey are conflicted over adopting a child. Jamie is feeling "financially strained" while Casey feels that things will "work themselves out." The therapist asks "How have you managed to prevent it from getting worse?" which is a type of question.
What are coping questions?
Anna feels that she has done everything she can to "make it work" with Brian. Brian feels that Anna "nags" him to do things.
Let's listen and watch for SFBT techniques (1).
What is The Miracle Question?
Andre brings his child to therapy, wanting the therapist to "straighten them out" and "fix their attitude". Amara, the 12-year-old child, says nothing. The therapist asks this type of question: "What has worked in the past?"
What is an exception question?
With friends Chaim and Delilah in conflict over Delilah's new boyfriend, a solution focused therapist might want to elicit solution-focused language instead of this type of story.
What are problem-saturated stories?
An Iranian mom, Mashid, finds her daughter-in-law, Stella, not fit for her son, Rod. Rod wants to marry Stella but he wants to see the issues resolved between them.
Let's listen and watch for SFBT techniques (2).
What are compliments and exceptions?
Vicky says she does "almost all of the housework" as she takes care of their child. Greg disagrees and says "she just doesn't see how much do for the family."
Let's listen and watch for SFBT techniques (2).
What is a scale question and experiments/homework?
DOUBLE JEOPARDY - Video Clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu5F2Z9mKmo
When Jane the therapist suggests "just start calling yourself Isabella" she is embodying this tenet of SFBT.
What is "Small steps lead to big changes"?
In a parent/child relationship... a solution focused therapist might focus on this technique as a way of validating and gently encouraging the things that are working.
What is giving compliments?
Video Clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrFG8bGhAyc
When hearing the statement "She used us! All of us!" a SFBT might ask this question about time and exceptions.
What is
"When was a time she was helpful?"
or
"When was a time she did not use you?"
When a family has a conflict across multiple therapy sessions, solution focused therapy states that a good way to start a session would be by asking this question about small changes.
What is "What has changed... even if only a little... since the last time we met?"