Effective SFBC hinges on setting specific, positive goals and using techniques to visualize solutions and prepare clients for success.

Let's talk about how to set effective goals when using solution-focused brief counseling (SFBC). It's important to remember that the best way to predict success in counseling is by setting goals that are concrete and specific. These goals should be framed positively, focusing on the behaviors you want to see rather than the problems you want to eliminate. Imagine you're a counselor. Your first step is to ask your client what they hope to achieve from the session. Their answers might range from positive goals to negative ones, from wanting others to change, to expressing symptoms, setting unrealistic or harmful goals, or simply saying "I don't know" or "I don't care." As a counselor, your job is to guide them towards positive goals, help them focus on their own behaviors, identify the needs behind their symptoms and unrealistic goals, and use hypothetical questions to get them thinking constructively if they're unmotivated. A well-crafted positive goal will clearly outline the behaviors that indicate progress. As a counselor, you can use "what" and "how" questions to get to the specifics. For example, you might ask what exactly the client will do, say, or think that signifies improvement. It's important to break down these goals into manageable steps so that clients can recognize even small changes. Next, you introduce the "miracle question" to help the client envision a life without their problem. You ask them to describe what it would be like if they woke up one day and a miracle had solved their problem overnight. If their answers are vague, you can ask for specifics about observable behaviors and use "reciprocal relationship questions" to explore how others would react, highlighting the ripple effect of change. If the miracle they describe is impossible, you can help them reframe it into a realistic goal.

Constructing solutions involves building on a strong foundation of self-efficacy, which is the belief in one's ability to succeed.

The stage of "discovering and constructing solutions" in solution-focused brief counseling is all about helping people see their own successes, even the tiny ones, that they might have overlooked. These are known as "instances of success" or "exceptions" to their problems. Imagine a counselor listening carefully to a person, trying to pick up on any signs that things might be improving, even just a little. For example, if a person is dealing with depression, the counselor might ask if it's a constant feeling or if there are times when it's less severe. By focusing on these moments when the depression isn't as intense, the counselor can help the person recognize their own coping skills. Once these successes are spotted, the counselor uses a technique called "mindmapping". This is like drawing a map of how the person achieved these successes, which can help them see how they can do it again. The counselor will ask for specifics about what the person did during these successful moments, helping them to see that they played a big part in their own success. And of course, any achievements, no matter how small, are celebrated. The counselor then uses a method called "scaling", which involves rating progress on a scale from 0 to 10. Even a score above 0 is a positive sign, as it shows that things have been worse in the past. The person is then asked to think about what they would do differently to move up to the next number on the scale. To prepare for any potential obstacles, the counselor and the person will discuss past strategies that have been successful in overcoming barriers. This is known as "flagging the minefield". At the end of the first session, the counselor takes a few minutes to review their notes and write a positive "message" for the person. This message is a reminder of the person's strengths, resources, and successes so far. It includes specific compliments, a statement connecting these compliments to the person's goal, and a task or homework assignment to keep the progress going. If the person doesn't have a specific goal yet, the message will just include compliments. The person is also encouraged to write a note about what they've learned during the session. Sharing these notes can help reinforce the progress made and encourage others to see the person's strengths.

The first session is about building a connection, identifying goals and strengths and envision a problem-free life.

Let's take a journey through the initial session of solution-focused brief counseling. We'll use a real-life example of a session between a counselor and a 12-year-old student named Pedro to illustrate the process. The counselor begins by building a connection with Pedro, making him feel comfortable and understood. Then, the counselor explains the SFBC process to Pedro. The first step is to identify Pedro's goal, which should be stated in positive terms. For Pedro, this goal is to improve his attitude, behavior, and grades. Next, the counselor introduces the "miracle question".The counselor encourages Pedro to be specific in his responses, asking follow-up questions to expand on Pedro's vision of his "miracle" life. The third step involves identifying "instances of success", times when parts of Pedro's miracle life have already occurred. For example, Pedro managed to control his temper that day, which is a small but significant success. The counselor uses a technique called "mindmapping" to explore how Pedro achieved these successes, which can empower him to replicate these positive behaviors in the future. The counselor also uses "cheerleading" to praise Pedro's accomplishments, boosting his confidence and motivation. The counselor then introduces "scaling", where Pedro is asked to rate his progress towards his goal on a scale of 0-10. Any rating above 0 indicates that things have been worse, which can reveal Pedro's coping skills. Pedro rates himself a 5, and identifies that he plans to ignore his friends until his work is done as a strategy to reach a higher number on the scale. To wrap up the session, the counselor reviews their notes and writes a positive "message" for Pedro. This message serves as a reminder of Pedro's strengths and the progress he has made so far. It's a powerful tool to reinforce the positive changes that Pedro is making. Through this example, we can see how the SFBC process helps Pedro to identify his strengths, find solutions to his problems, and take small steps towards his goals. This approach empowers Pedro to take control of his life and make positive changes. It can also be completed in just 20-25 minutes, half the time of a regular session. This approach is particularly useful in schools where students and counselors have tight schedules, for individuals who have short attention spans, and in private practices that cater to clients with limited financial resources.

The subsequent sessions serve to highlight ongoing successes, reinforcing the client's belief in their ability to maintain positive change.

The subsequent sessions follow a specific sequence, regardless of whether the first session was full or abbreviated. The counselor begins by reminding the client of their goal. They explain that the session will revolve around discussing progress and will conclude with an exchange of messages. The counselor then asks the client, "What's better since we last met?" If the client responds positively, the counselor follows the EARS sequence: 1. Elicit details of what's improved. 2. Amplify the positive effects by asking how others have reacted to these changes. 3. Reinforce the client's achievements, celebrating their accomplishments. 4. Start over - ask "What else is better?" and repeat the EARS sequence. However, if the client reports no progress, the counselor shifts focus to how things didn't worsen and listens for any minor improvements. They ask questions to identify coping skills and exceptions to problems, which then leads back to the EARS sequence. To measure progress, the counselor uses a scaling technique. Clients rate their progress towards their goal on a scale of 0-10. The counselor then asks what actions led to higher numbers, providing an opportunity to celebrate the client's efforts. To determine if more sessions are needed, the counselor asks the client how they will know when counseling is no longer necessary and what number on the scale would signify success. The session ends with the counselor writing a message that includes compliments, a bridging statement, and a homework assignment to continue the progress. The client also writes a note about what they've learned. For instance, one client with a traumatic past began practicing more positive behaviors and thought patterns. The counselor's message reinforced the positive changes she was modeling for her children. In her note, she expressed gratitude for the counselor's help in her journey to become a better person. Another example is Pedro, a student who improved his behavior and grades by arriving to class on time, avoiding fights, and listening to his teachers. Pedro continued to make progress and didn't require additional sessions. The SFBC process is designed to highlight ongoing successes, reinforcing the client's belief in their ability to maintain positive change.

Counselors can transform challenging client situations into achievable goals by empathizing and focusing on willingness towards change.

Let's talk about how to work with clients who might be a bit hesitant or challenging in the context of solution-focused brief counseling. When dealing with clients who are there involuntarily, it's important to empathize with them. Ask them what they hope to gain from the counseling sessions. This can help them see the value and become more willing participants. It's also useful to ask if fulfilling the desires of others might also be beneficial to them. Using the "they're wrong, you're right" technique can be effective too. This involves siding with the client, suggesting that the referral to counseling was a mistake, and then encouraging them to prove it wrong. Showing understanding for their unhappiness about being mandated to attend counseling can also help build a strong rapport. Even when SFBC doesn't seem to be working, as might be the case with some unmotivated clients, it's still important to highlight any positive aspects. Complimenting them on these can plant the seeds for potential future change. For students who have been mandated to attend counseling due to behavioral incidents, it's crucial to explain that the counseling session is not a punishment. After identifying the problem, the counselor can assist the student in forming a positive behavior goal to prevent future incidents. Asking about past successes can help frame the problematic behavior as an inconsistency, rather than the norm. The session should end on a positive note, with compliments and suggestions for implementing agreed changes and reporting back on progress. There are several strategies for turning difficult situations into achievable goals: 1. Ask mandated clients about their perspective on the problematic behavior. Then, reframe this into a positive goal and use relationship questions to highlight the benefits of improvement. 2. Transform "why am I this way" questions into "what would you do differently if you knew why." 3. Challenge "always" statements, like always being worried, to bring out exceptions to the problem. 4. For clients dealing with loss, ask what aspects of the relationship they would like to continue. 5. If clients are making excuses, ask what they gain from self-defeating behaviors that they might want to change. 6. Convert "yes but" statements into solutions by initially agreeing, then suggesting that the next "but" contains a possibility for change. In summary, the counselor's role is to redirect challenging situations into achievable goals, highlight clients' inconsistencies with problems to foster hope, and reinforce any willingness towards positive change.

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Brief Counseling That Works - Book Summary (2024)

Gerald B. Sklare

"Brief Counseling That Works" is a guidebook that provides strategies and techniques for effective short-term counseling within the school system, focusing on practical methods to help students overcome challenges and improve their academic and personal lives.

Key Ideas

Solution-focused brief counseling, SFBC, is a model that works well for school counselors. It was developed by psychologist Steve de Shazer, who noticed that when his clients identified exceptions to their problems, they were able to find solutions. This led to a significant shift in focus from problems to solutions. SFBC is a brief and positive approach that avoids deep analysis of problems and instead builds on the strengths of the client.

SFBC is unique from other therapy models taught in counselor education because it is action-oriented and minimizes the need for insight. However, many of the skills used in SFBC are similar to those used in other approaches. By explaining why this new focus is important, clients are more likely to accept it. SFBC has been effective across a wide range of ages and cultures, and its positive nature motivates young people and gives them hope.

There are three main rules in SFBC: don't try to fix what isn't broken by creating new problems, do more of what is already working, and if something isn't working, try a different approach. The key assumptions of SFBC are that focusing on successes leads to solutions, every problem has exceptions, small changes can have big effects, clients know themselves best, and positive goals are more effective than negative ones.

Some additional concepts of SFBC include: focusing on solutions will bring more solutions, avoid analyzing problems and their causes, be efficient with your interventions, focus on the present and future rather than the past, and emphasize actions over insights.

Mental health professionals value SFBC because it speeds up progress and increases hope. After receiving training in SFBC, therapists often feel a renewed sense of excitement and effectiveness. This approach helps to unlock the strengths and resources of the client.

SFBC typically helps students in just 3-5 sessions. Students are often surprised that counselors talk about their strengths instead of just their faults. This encourages them to repeat their successes. SFBC has been shown to improve academics, behavior, and relationships, and studies have confirmed its effectiveness across different settings and cultures.

"Brief Counseling That Works" by Gerald B. Sklare is a comprehensive guide that provides a practical approach to brief counseling for school counselors and other mental health professionals. The book emphasizes the importance of solution-focused brief counseling (SFBC) as an effective method for dealing with a variety of issues. It provides a step-by-step guide to the SFBC process, from the initial session to termination, and includes numerous case studies and examples to illustrate the concepts.

10 Actions to Implement Learnings:

Understand the SFBC Approach: Familiarize yourself with the solution-focused brief counseling approach and its principles. This will form the foundation for your counseling practice.
Set Clear Goals: In every counseling session, ensure that you and your client set clear, achievable goals. This will guide the counseling process and provide a measure of progress.
Focus on Solutions, Not Problems: Shift your focus from the client's problems to their potential solutions. This will empower your clients and foster a positive mindset.
Use the Miracle Question: Incorporate the "miracle question" into your counseling sessions. This question helps clients envision a future where their problems are resolved, which can be a powerful motivator.
Practice Active Listening: Develop your active listening skills. This will help you understand your clients better and build a strong therapeutic relationship.
Use Scaling Questions: Use scaling questions to help clients assess their progress and identify next steps. This can provide a clear path forward and boost their confidence.
Give Compliments and Encouragement: Regularly compliment and encourage your clients. This can boost their self-esteem and motivate them to continue working towards their goals.
Use Homework Assignments: Assign homework to your clients to reinforce the learnings from the counseling sessions. This can help them apply the strategies and techniques in their daily lives.
Practice Self-Care: As a counselor, it's important to take care of your own mental health. Regular self-care can prevent burnout and improve your effectiveness as a counselor.
Seek Supervision and Peer Support: Regularly seek supervision and peer support to enhance your counseling skills and address any challenges you may face. This can provide valuable insights and feedback, and foster a supportive professional community.