Solution Focused Brief Counseling

Principles

• Avoid spending time exploring the problem; avoid theorizing.

• Keep it simple.

• If it works, do it more.

• If it doesn’t work, stop doing it.

• Focus on present and future.

Key Characteristics of Your Approach

• Solution talk

• Looking for exceptions

• Talking out of absolutes

• Miracle question

• Presuppositional questions

Imagine a scenario…

A cx at your supportive housing facility is struggling with feeling isolated and alone. He wants to socialize but is uneasy around others and becomes irritable and unpleasant. Others are uncomfortable with him so they avoid him and don’t include him in activities. He comes to talk to you about this problem; he says “I’m not happy…I’m all alone, no friends…nobody here even likes me. I want someone to hang out with.”

Think, Pair and Share

• Look at Stage 1, page 416: What might you say to initiate solution building?

• Look at Stage 2, page 418: What could you say next to explore exceptions to the problem, his assets/strengths or how he wants it to be?

• Look at Stage 3, page 420: Is the goal clear? Are solutions emerging? Have strengths been identified?