Solution Focused Therapy

Therapist Role

100

Your clients persistently engage in heightened conflict in sessions. What is the therapists role in regards to problem talk?

Help the couple build solutions rather than get bogged down in problem talk.

200

Your client provides a list of all the things her partner does that annoy her during the day. What would a Solution Focused therapist focus on in this situation?

The thing her partner does correctly that support her and ease stress.

300

"It seems as though we have nothing left that keeps this marriage together. I don't know if we could if we tried"

Focus on client's overlooked strengths and competencies

400

"What do you think we should do?"

Assume position of not knowing and engage clients in future oriented discussion of couple's hopes and dreams

500

Finish the statement: "If ain't broke, ____________. Once you know what works, _______________. If it doesn't work, __________________, _________________.

1. Don't fix it. 2. Do more of it. 3. Don't do it again. 4. Do something different.

Stages of Change

100

Precontemplation

suggest that client think about it and provide information and education

200

Contemplation

encourage thinking, recommend an observation task where client notices what makes problem better or worse (join with client’s lack of commitment to act with “go slow”)

300

Preparation

invite the client to choose from treatment options

400

Action

amplify what works, get details of success and reinforce

500

Maintenance

Support success, predict setbacks, make contingency plans for relapse prevention

First Session

100

Research shows that it takes an average of SEVEN years for a couple to initiate therapy, and that simply making the phone call begins the process of change. Knowing that, what would be one of your first questions in your initial session?

"What, if anything, has changed since you made that first call?"

200

DOUBLE JEOPARDY!! The first major question you will ask is the Miracle Question. Whomever properly demonstrates the FOUR MAIN TENENTS of the asking of this question receives double points.

Slow. Repetitive. Use "imagination." Make it relational.

300

Both of your clients report feeling dissatisfied with the relationship, and while one of your clients just mentioned his willingness to work on the relationship, you noticed her partner shift in his seat and play with his wedding ring. What question would you ask to gauge both partner's willingness to change?

A Scaling Question.

400

A good portion of the session has passed. You've asked various questions and have built a strong therapeutic alliance. What do you do next?

Take a Session Break.

500

Describe the key concepts of Goal Setting. We are looking for EIGHT...

Small. Salient. Specific. Behavioral. Achievable. Client-Centered. Utilizing overlooked strengths.

Questions

100

Demonstrate the Exception Question.

When in the past might the problem have happened but didn't? When have you managed not to.... What is different about this time when you managed not to...

200

You have slowed down your clients' conflict with the Miracle Question and are now in the process of building a goal around their miracle. One client says he wants his partner to stay of her phone when she's at home. The next step might be to ask him an Efficacy Question. What would you ask?

What would your partner say you could do that would encourage him to do more of the things you think he could do to make a difference?

300

Your clients report feeling stressed because work keeps them apart too much. How would you ask a Coping Question?

Given the terrible situation, with the work stress and distance between you, how are things not worse?

400

Your client just admitted that he feels terrible, because he loves his partner but has neglected to tell her lately. His partner scoffs and shifts in her chair, and your client hangs his head. What sort of Meaning Question would you ask to join the two together?

What else would you want your partner to know that would tell him how much you (care, love him, are working hard, want the relationship to improve)?

500

DOUBLE JEOPARDY!!! Which initial question would be best to engage a "Visitor?"

Scaling Question.