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!