Solution-Focused Brief Therapy with Children, Adolescents, and Families

This workshop describes the major principles and strategies of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), a research-supported approach to building solutions by utilizing the strengths, resources, and possibilities that people bring to the change process. Young people and families are capable of remarkable changes when encouraged to apply their resiliencies and resources toward solutions to difficult problems. Although this practical approach to solution-building is applicable to all types of clients and presenting problems, it is particularly effective with so-called “multi-problem” and “resistant” clients because of its collaborative emphasis on respecting and cooperating with the client’s views, goals, and resources. Based on a compelling body of research on “what works” in helping people change, SFBT conforms the helping process to clients by honoring and accommodating their unique strengths, resources, opinions, and feedback. Common SFBT strategies include: (1) establishing cooperative relationships based on the “ambassador perspective”; (2) developing clear and meaningful goals; (3) the miracle question and other forms of “solution talk”; (4) collaborating with clients and families to build resource-based solutions; (5) utilizing exceptions to the problem; (6) empowering small changes throughout the intervention process; (7) using client-driven strategies to evaluate and adjust the helping process; and (8) addressing other applications of solution-focused principles including group therapy, couples therapy, supervision, and organization development. The workshop includes numerous videotaped and “live” demonstrations, experiential exercises, and practice/application activities designed to increase the practical relevance and applicability of training content.

Workshop Agenda

Opening Exercise

What is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)?

Clinical and Empirical Foundations of SFBT

Building Cooperative Relationships with Young People and Families

BSFI Strategies/Interventions: Building on What Works

·      Utilizing Exceptions and Other “Natural Resources”

BSFI Strategies/Interventions: Changing the Viewing and Doing of Problems

·         Reframing, Externalizing, Interviewing the Internalized Other

·         Paradoxical Interventions (Acceptance, Mindfulness, Client-Directed Behavioral Commitment)

Evaluating and Empowering Desired Changes

Troubleshooting Strategies: Getting Unstuck When Things Don’t Go as Planned 

Other Applications of Solution-Focused Practice

·       Group Therapy, Couples Therapy, Assessment, Supervision, Organization Development.

CEU/Learning Objectives

Participants will learn how to: