Solution-Focused Therapy Paper
Solution-Focused Therapy Paper
Angela French
Grand Canyon University
Marriage and Family Therapy
PCN: 521
Nissa Chadwick
February 19, 2015
Solution-Focused Therapy Paper
Solution-Focused therapy (SFT) and Narrative therapy are both effective forms of therapy that are different from traditional approaches to therapeutic change. While many forms of therapy focus on the presenting issues and concerns, these therapeutic approaches seek to focus on clients’ strength and abilities in order to locate solutions. This writer will explain both Solution-Focused and Narrative therapy and what role the therapist holds when implementing these therapeutic approaches.
SFT was developed as a brief form of therapy that focuses on being positive and finding solutions. “Solution-focused therapists do not make diagnoses, try to promote insight, or analyze the past. Instead they encourage the client to recognize and implement alternatives” (Harvard Mental Health Letter, 2006, p. 4) by utilizing techniques such as asking miracle questions, exception questions, coping questions and scaling questions (Harvard Mental Health Letter, 2006). In the SFT approach, the goal of the provider is to “steer the conversation toward hypothetical solutions, exceptions to the problem, and solution descriptions” (Chang & …show more content…
In both forms of therapy, providers are not seen as the experts, they seek to form a collaborative relationship, and both seek to avoid predicting, interpreting or pathologizing when working with their client. A difference between SFT and Narrative therapy would be, the SFT therapist is seen as a cheerleader or coach while the narrative therapist is more of an active listener who shows empathy and curiosity. Both forms of therapy are effective and assist clients in focusing on solutions rather than
Angela French
Grand Canyon University
Marriage and Family Therapy
PCN: 521
Nissa Chadwick
February 19, 2015
Solution-Focused Therapy Paper
Solution-Focused therapy (SFT) and Narrative therapy are both effective forms of therapy that are different from traditional approaches to therapeutic change. While many forms of therapy focus on the presenting issues and concerns, these therapeutic approaches seek to focus on clients’ strength and abilities in order to locate solutions. This writer will explain both Solution-Focused and Narrative therapy and what role the therapist holds when implementing these therapeutic approaches.
SFT was developed as a brief form of therapy that focuses on being positive and finding solutions. “Solution-focused therapists do not make diagnoses, try to promote insight, or analyze the past. Instead they encourage the client to recognize and implement alternatives” (Harvard Mental Health Letter, 2006, p. 4) by utilizing techniques such as asking miracle questions, exception questions, coping questions and scaling questions (Harvard Mental Health Letter, 2006). In the SFT approach, the goal of the provider is to “steer the conversation toward hypothetical solutions, exceptions to the problem, and solution descriptions” (Chang & …show more content…
In both forms of therapy, providers are not seen as the experts, they seek to form a collaborative relationship, and both seek to avoid predicting, interpreting or pathologizing when working with their client. A difference between SFT and Narrative therapy would be, the SFT therapist is seen as a cheerleader or coach while the narrative therapist is more of an active listener who shows empathy and curiosity. Both forms of therapy are effective and assist clients in focusing on solutions rather than