THERAPIES
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
Want to cut to the chase on how to solve an issue?
Understanding how a problem arose and the details has its merits, but if we’re already aware of how things are and what factors may have shaped the problem, we may want to focus on getting the results we desire.
Credit: Megan Mckay (Doodleforfood.com)
Solution-Focused Therapy is future oriented.
SFT doesn’t target and focus on symptoms or issues. Rather, the goal of therapy is to encourage the client to visualise his or her desired future. Guiding the path towards the client’s future goals, the psychologist will determine the skill sets and resources required.
Who is it for?
Individuals, couples, and familes have found SFT to be useful in dealing with unresolved issues.
SFT is most commonly used to address problems for which the client already has some possible solutions for, and is often used in combination with other theraputic approaches. SFT is not suitable for complex mental health disorders.
If you’re unsure, seek the advice of a mental health professional.
Its workings
Rooted in the belief that people are innately aware of the changes they have to improve their lives, SFT aims to help guide these people with the relevant tools that they can immediately put to use. Clinicians encourage individuals to imagine their desired future and work collaboratively with them to identify the steps to take for those goals to bear fruit.
In particular, psychologists can help clients to recall times in their lives when the issue was more manageable and evaluate what solutions may have been present then. Psychologists guide their clients as they sieve through what strategies may have worked for them and if so, how best to continue practising them. As a pillar of support, clinicians aid their clients as they experiment with new problem-solving approaches.
Just some techniques…
Here are 3 different types of questions your clinician may ask during the process of SFT.
Ψ Coping Questions
‘How have you managed to keep going?’ or ‘How did you prevent things from escalating?’
These questions serve as powerful reminders for clients to recognise their own resiliency and acknowledge ways they have already effectively coped with their issues.
Ψ Miracle Questions
‘What would be the first thing that signals to you that the problem is gone?’
Clients will be taught to think: if by some miracle, your problem is solved, what would that be like? What would this ‘miracle future’ be?
By doing so, clients learn to identify small, practical steps that they can take towards this positive direction. The client would then identify the possible changes they could make in their behaviours and interactions with others.
Ψ Scaling Questions
‘On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means you have no issues with your family, and 10 means you don’t want to be associated with your family at all, what number would you give your relationship with your family?"
Scaling questions use a scale to assess circumstances or a client’s perceptions. These provide insight into the client’s world view, especially when there is insufficient time to go into the miracle question. Also, people who have difficulty expressing their experiences may find this approach more effective.
SFT is suitable for those without complex psychological conditions, and who do not wish to process their concerns but who wish to jump straight into problem-solving. For these individuals, SFT allows for a direct and targeted approach to help clients cope with their issues in a tighter time frame.