Download - Brief Solution-Focused Counseling
BRIEF SOLUTION-FOCUSED COUNSELING
Alycia Helbling, Steve Coop & Mike Lambert
Introduction to Brief Counseling
Theory
Counseling Relationship
Goals
Techniques
Individual Brief Counseling
Vignette #1: Derek, 3rd grade
Reason for Referral: Difficulty with transitions between recess/PE and classroom instruction
SFBT Process: Search for pre-session change in behavior Goal Setting (can occur at any time) Present the "Miracle Question" Ask Scaling Questions Search for Exceptions Summarize Provide Message with compliments and task
Transitions
tran·si·tion[tran-zish-uhn, -sish-]
noun
movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change: the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Are transitions important for counseling?
Yes! Universal experience Adaptability Resiliency Well-being
Define Transition(s)
Within school transitions
Between school transitions
School-to-work transitions
Other life transitions
Brief Counseling Classroom Activity
24 Signature Strengths
1. Love of Learning
2. Bravery(valor)
3. Vitality (zest, enthusiasm, vigor, energy)
4. Leadership
5. Appreciation of beauty and excellence (awe, wonder, elevation)
6. Humor (playfulness)
7. Creativity (originality, ingenuity)
8. Curiosity (interest, novelty-seeking, openness to experience)
9. Open-mindedness (judgment, critical thinking)
10. Perspective (wisdom)
11. Persistence (perseverance, industriousness)
12. Integrity [authenticity, honesty]
.
13. Love
14. Kindness (generosity, nurturance, care, compassion, altruistic love, “niceness”)
15. Social Intelligence (emotional intelligence, personal intelligence)
16. Fairness
17. Gratitude
18. Hope [optimism, future-mindedness, future orientation]
19. Spirituality [religiousness, faith, purpose]
20. Forgiveness and mercy
21. Self-regulation[self-control]
22. Citizenship [social responsibility, loyalty, teamwork]
23. Humility/Modesty
24. Prudence
Options for all ages
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Brief Solution-Focused Small Group Counseling
Guiding principles of the group: Exploring the challenging as well as
positive experiences of transfer students.
Creating “SMART” goals for addressing the challenges of the student.
Highlighting student strengths to be used to overcome challenges and reach goals.
Focusing on positive changes as a result of the student’s effort to make a change.
Group Plan
Session Length: 45 minutes
Duration: 7 weeks
Week 1: Group introductionWeek 2: Explore experience and hopesWeek 3: From hopes to realityWeek 4: Exploring student strengthsWeek 5: Putting goals into actionWeek 6: Positive ChangesWeek 7: Wrap Up
Group Plan (cont.)
Rotating Groups
Grade Level Accommodations: Elementary School (k-5)
Middle School (6-8)
High School (9-12)
Cultural Considerations
Positives Focused on client values Brief and goal oriented
Challenges Individualized
Resiliency and Protective Factors
Focused on client strengths
Builds client's personal identity
Connects client strengths and skills to life challenges
Further Considerations
Positives Fits well in schools due to limited
resources of time. Limitations
Not for extreme situations: suicidal clients, personality disorders, extreme anxiety, and more.
Not for clients with severe mental disabilties
Not good for clients who want a counselor to provide "expert" opinion.
Can be difficult but doable with reluctant clients.
Neglects environmental or systemic casues of problem
In Summary
Our theory Our issue Individual Plan How these work together in schools Classroom Activity Group Plan There are limitations, but there are
many strengths to this theory in conjunction with the issue of transitions.
Thank you!
References
authentichappiness.org dictionary.com http://www.picstopin.com/1081/outline-
of-persontemplate/http:||www*basictophp*com|forum|27|outline-of-person-template-i6*jpg/ (puppet image)
Chaudhry, S., Li, C. (2011). Is solution-focused brief therapy culturally appropriate for muslim american counselees? Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 41(2), 109-113.
References (cont.)
Cooley, L. (2009). The power of groups: Solution-focused group counseling in schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Henderson, D. A., Thompson, C. L. (2011). Counseling children (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Metcalf, L. (2008). Counseling toward solutions: A practical solution-focused program for working with students, teachers and parents (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Thank you!
Thank you for listening to our presentation!
Please refer to your hand out booklet for a review of what we have talked about today and more references to help you all as you transition to being effective school counselors!