HSV532: DBs Unit 3

DB 3.1: Typical Themes in Solution-Focused Therapy

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) focuses on identifying solutions rather than dwelling on problems. By emphasizing desired outcomes and leveraging client strengths, it promotes optimism and actionable change. Two key themes in SFBT include exploring the client’s desired outcome and discussing their previous successes: HSV532: DBs Unit 3.

Exploring the Client’s Desired Outcome

The desired outcome serves as the foundation for therapy, providing a clear direction for sessions. For example, a client struggling with substance dependency may express a desire to regain employment and rebuild family relationships (Sutton, 2021). As a therapist, I would ask, “What would a successful outcome look like for you?” This question encourages the client to envision their ideal future.

Using scaling questions, I might ask, “On a scale from 1 to 10, where do you see yourself now in terms of achieving this goal?” (Dear et al., 2015). If the client rates themselves at a “4,” I would follow up with, “What’s one thing you could do to move to a 5?” This empowers the client to focus on small, achievable steps.

Discussing Previous Successes

            Discussing previous successes is another vital theme in SFBT. Highlighting times when the client successfully navigates challenges reinforces their belief in their capabilities. If a client previously managed stress without alcohol, I would explore what strategies they used. Questions like, “What was different during that time?” shift the narrative from a focus on challenges to resilience.

This approach aligns with SFBT’s emphasis on recognizing that change is possible, even in adversity (Jerome et al., 2023). By focusing on these themes, SFBT sessions help clients identify goals, recognize abilities, and take actionable steps toward meaningful change.

DB 3.2: Incorporating SFBT Techniques

SFBT relies on various techniques to guide clients toward solutions. Two foundational techniques are scaling questions and the miracle question, supplemented by other methods like exploring exceptions and highlighting strengths.

Scaling Questions

            Scaling questions are a versatile tool in SFBT. They help clients evaluate their progress and identify actionable steps for improvement. For instance, I might ask a client, “On a scale from 1 to 10, how confident are you in managing stress without substances?” If the client rates themselves as a “6,” I would explore, “What has helped you reach this point?”

This reinforces existing strategies. Following this, I’d ask, “What would it take to move from a 6 to a 7?” Scaling questions assess the client’s state while encouraging small, manageable steps forward (Abdulla & Woods, 2021).

Miracle Question

The miracle question encourages clients to imagine a future where their problems are resolved. For example, I may ask, “If you woke up tomorrow and everything was better, what would be different?” This helps clients articulate goals in concrete terms. A follow-up, “What’s one small step you can take today to move closer to that vision?” bridges aspirations with actionable changes, fostering empowerment (Takagi et al., 2022).

Additional Techniques

Other SFBT techniques include exploring exceptions and strength-based questioning. Exploring exceptions identifies times when clients successfully managed challenges (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2021).

For instance, asking, “Can you think of a time when you handled stress without alcohol?” highlights strategies that worked. Strength-based questioning focuses on a client’s abilities. Questions like, “What does your ability to seek help say about your strengths?” encourage clients to view themselves as resourceful.

DB 3.3: Applying SFBT to Cherry’s Case

Cherry’s case involves substance dependency exacerbated by personal and financial stressors. Applying SFBT principles can help her focus on solutions and work toward her goals.

Therapeutic Goals

Three therapeutic goals for Cherry include developing coping strategies, rebuilding family relationships, and maintaining sobriety. Stress should be well managed since the lady struggles with anxiety and the issues of being a single mother. Therapy may introduce things like mindfulness or even set the child up on a schedule (Wakai et al., 2023).

It may mean mending a relationship with her children through daily counselling or other fun activities that would create confidence in each other. Also, sustaining sobriety involves a relapse prevention plan on factors that cause relapse and constructing a relapse prevention network.

Techniques for Cherry

Specific SFBT techniques can support Cherry in achieving these goals. Scaling questions assess her progress and confidence. For example, I may pose a question like: “On a scale of 1 to 10 how confident are you with not drinking any alcohol this week?”

If Cherry says she is at ‘5’ on self-identity, I would like to ask, “What are you doing that keeps you at ‘5’?” and “What would be necessary for you to get to ‘6’?” This approach helps Cherry learn about her assets and ways through which she can effectively take action (Dubin, 2024).

The miracle question is another effective tool. Asking, “If you woke up tomorrow and your life was how you want it to be, what would that look like?” helps Cherry visualize a future free from dependency. She might describe feeling calm and connected with her children. A follow-up, “What’s one small step you can take today to move closer to that vision?” provides a framework for progress.

Additional Considerations

            Exploring exceptions helps Cherry identify times when she resisted the urge to drink. Asking, “What was different during those times?” highlights strategies she can replicate. Strength-based questioning reinforces her confidence. Questions like, “What does it say about you that you’ve sought treatment?” emphasize her resilience.

Addressing external stressors like financial strain and childcare responsibilities is essential. Applying the pressures more to the combination of pragmatic work, such as relating her to community agencies, may reduce pressures. According to Joubert & Guse, (2021), optimism and hope are very important when giving clients in SFBT solutions that can transform their lives.

Conclusion

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy deals with the importance of strength, focusing on solutions, and providing the means for clients to solve problems. The concepts of scaling questions and the miracle question are practical instruments for measuring change and imagining an improved situation. Given such cases as Cherry, these methods assist the clients by providing them with a matrix of resilience and external resources by which change can be achieved. SFBT’s active participation and the over-reliance on optimism enable the client to develop healthy expectations hence creating a betterment for the future.

References

Abdulla, A., & Woods, R. (2021). The Effect of Solution-Focused Scaling and Solution-Focused Questions on Expectancy and Commitment. School Psychology Review, 52(6), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966x.2021.1942196

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2021). Chapter 5—Brief Strategic/Interactional Therapies. Nih.gov; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64937/

Dear, B. F., Zou, J. B., Ali, S., Lorian, C. N., Johnston, L., Sheehan, J., Staples, L. G., Gandy, M., Fogliati, V. J., Klein, B., & Titov, N. (2015). Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness of Therapist-Guided Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Older Adults With Symptoms of Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavior Therapy, 46(2), 206–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2014.09.007

Dubin, K. (2024, September 19). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Scaling Questions – SWEET INSTITUTE – Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals. SWEET INSTITUTE – Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals – the One Stop Shop for Mental Health Clinicians and Agencies. https://sweetinstitute.com/solution-focused-brief-therapy-scaling-questions/

Jerome, L., McNamee, P., Abdel-Halim, N., Elliot, K., & Woods, J. (2023). Solution-focused Approaches in Adult Mental Health research: A Conceptual Literature Review and Narrative Synthesis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14(1068006). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1068006

Joubert, J., & Guse, T. (2021). Implementing solution‐focused brief therapy to facilitate hope and subjective well‐being among South African trauma survivors: A case study. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12416

Sutton, J. (2021, April 21). Resistance to Change in Psychology: Engaging Resistant Clients. Positive Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/resistance-to-change/

Takagi, G., Sakamoto, K., Nihonmatsu, N., & Hagidai, M. (2022). The impact of clarifying the long-term solution picture through solution-focused interventions on positive attitude towards life. PLOS ONE, 17(5), e0267107. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267107

Wakai, H., Nawa, N., Yamaoka, Y., & Fujiwara, T. (2023). Stressors and coping strategies among single mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLOS ONE, 18(3), e0282387–e0282387. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282387

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

---

DB 3.1
In your reading, it was shared that topics of Solution-Focused sessions usually cover the following topics (of course they are not limited to these, however) below. Please pick at least 2 themes and specifically how your session with a client might reflect discussing any topics related to the theme. For example, if you are discussing the client’s desired outcome from the session, which is to stop using alcohol and return to to work, you would discuss how discussing and exploring this key theme area helps the client progress in treatment from a Solution Focused standpoint. Please feel free to use more than 2 examples.

Typical themes in solution-focused therapy include:

• -The outcome that the client desires from the treatment process.
• -Strengths and resources of the client that can be used to achieve the desired outcome.
• -Discussion of previous successes of the client.
• -Discussion of exception and instance periods.
• -Discussion of changes in the client’s life from session to session.
• -Exploration of what the client does to achieve those changes.

NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

DB 3.2

• In thinking about the technique demonstrated in the video, please share how you might incorporate this technique into your Solution Focused Therapy sessions? Please give at least 2 examples for each technique. Additionally, please discuss at least 2 more techniques that you have read about from our required reading this unit. You are welcome to pick any that you choose and discuss in detail using examples of how you might incorporate this technique into your sessions.

NOTE: You must make at least 1 substantial posting and 2 substantial replies to this thread. You must participate in the Unit discussion board (making postings/replies) at least 3 days per unit to qualify for full credit and also have at least 1 posting by Wednesday at midnight. You also must use APA style in your posting and replies so please use in-text references and provide a reference to give proper credit to the authors.

DB 3.3
Cherry, 34, has been drinking for at least 10 years, at first mostly socially with her husband and friends but with occasional periods of heavy drinking. When she divorced 3 years ago, she started drinking more frequently—almost every night—after her three children went to bed. Also, about 2 ½ years ago, she noticed that she was getting more anxious and stressed out from trying to get the kids to day care and school, taking care of them, not having enough money, hassling with her ex-husband over child support, and getting to work on time.

She received a prescription for benzodiazepine from her family doctor and rapidly became dependent on the drug. Her doctor recognized her dependency and referred her to a psychiatrist trained in substance abuse. He recommended substance abuse treatment. After being monitored in a detoxification program, she began the 8-week intensive outpatient treatment program where she is now receiving treatment.