The human cognitive structure is an essential element that helps in the control of all body functions primarily because the brain is a significant part of the nervous system. Just like other body parts of the body, the brain can develop conditions that have influenced the existence of psychology as a scientific study of the human mind and behavior. Most of the cognitive states are best managed or treated by the use of antidepressants, counseling, and therapy. Among the three, therapy has proved to be useful even on the fatal cognitive conditions that have led to distractive behaviors and choices. As a result, experts have researched on ways that will help impact therapeutic measures to patients who seek treatment for their cognitive conditions. Sometimes referred to as solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), Solution-focused therapy is the use of psychotherapy methods to deliver goal-oriented options to patients seeking diagnosis and treatment for the mental problems.
1. What are the key explanatory concepts?
In consideration that most treatment methods are applied by the use of the knowledge of the physician in charge from consultation stage, to diagnosis and prescription of medication, SFBT involves both the patient and the expert. While the therapist is considered to have all the skills and expertise required to deliver solutions to the patients, the client has excellent knowledge of what they need to achieve besides additional assistance from the professional. The concept of solutions in SFBT is the concentration of the outcome in the treatment and management of the patient’s condition and possible future approach in case of a relapse. ‘Focus’ on the other hand emphasizes on the orientation of the goals with the use of present and future situations rather than concentrating on the past. On the other hand, therapist insists on deliberately forgoing the problems and challenges experienced and making use of situations that will help manage and treat clients. In simple terms, the association of the therapist and the client targets the needs and expectations outlined instead of concentration on the condition that forced the patient to seek help. Therefore the method applied in SFBT elaborates how therapy is conducted. The essential tool in therapy is identifying what the client desires to achieve since every individual is unique and prefer different solutions for their situation. Therefore, some of the psychotherapy methods applied revolves around discussions and conversations that will help the therapist understand the client’s needs. Besides, clients are encouraged to suggest possible ways they feel comfortable to apply and handle the condition. As mentioned earlier, the method used targets ways in which apply to the issue at hand rather than a generalized way of handling similar problems. In so doing the psychotherapists emphasizes on making use of the methods that have worked in the past and implementation of exceptions in the challenge at hand.
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2. According to the theory, what are the characteristics of a healthy personality?
According to the theory, a healthy personality is characterized by various significant elements that support the solutions rather than the problems. For instance, the patient must be willing to change and ready to apply any possible methods that will contribute to their improvement. On the other hand, it is advisable that the patient collaborates with the therapists because, their suggestions hold substantial solutions to the challenge being resolved, hence the need for a collaborative trait. Since SFBT encourages collaboration between patients and therapists, clients are expected to be open-minded and authentic towards what they look forward to versus what position they are in. As a result, optimism is a characteristic required for individuals seeking therapy since it impacts positivity which in most cases enhances the focus on the future instead of the past which is critical in treatment. Considering that patients are different and depending on the problem and state of mind, the period taken to deal with the case varies from one individual to another. Therefore, the need for persistence and consistency is essential in individuals to maintain development and facilitate the improvement of the patient’s condition. According to Yee Lee (2013), an individual’s personality will be determined through the language in which they use during the conversation with the therapists. Besides change, it is required that good personality must depict capability to make use of whatever is available to accomplish the outlined goals. Positive language shuns away from discouragement, self-defeating, cursing and blaming. Instead, the individual finds anything in their present moment that encourages them impacts the progress of treatment and healing. Creativity is a trait that influences the patient’s ability to formulate relevant psychotherapy methods that can be applied to them and others. On the other hand, the application of creativity in the therapy ensures that monotony is dealt with and fascinating sessions are enhanced.
3. What are the factors that contribute to the problem(s)? How does the process of development get stuck?
Various issues contribute to the problems that require solution-focused therapy. Such factors may be analyzed and outlined as the habits that influence adverse cognitive conditions. As highlighted by Gingerich and Peterson (2012), anything that interferes with the proper functioning of the mind and contributes to extreme reaction towards or habits that are depicted as unethical in the society has viewed a problem. In reference to the research done and analyzed by Gingerich and Peterson, some of the issues dealt by therapists in SFBT include child problems in academic and behavior. While some issues are just the outcome of an underlying issue, children with academic difficulty are encouraged to concentrate on areas of their strengths even if it is sports. Furthermore, such children are identified to have the problems with their self-esteem and efficacy hence the need to work on their abilities that help improve self-belief. Other problems associated with academic challenges include substance abuse, withdrawal from the society, emotional disorders and bullying among others. Mental health in an adult is also a critical issue that requires solution-focused therapy in individuals. While depression and anxiety are the most common foundations of mental health, trauma is evidently a serious factor that influences the outlined problems. Lifestyle and socioeconomic standards of individuals dictate the state of mind because lack of necessities impacts stress while too much possession may contribute to the restlessness of either fear or anxiety. Trials to commit suicide and inflicting self-harm is a standard norm among individuals who have a mental illness (Cloninger, 2012). The society considers families as essential units that help in the development of communities and interactions of various individuals. Consequently, marriage is the foundation of most families in which different issues arise in separate families because of distinct needs and expectations. On the other hand, the difference in character among family members is an influence of disagreements and possible problems that arise (Walter & Peller, 1993). Besides, the existence of a physically or mentally challenged family members especially children increases the pressure experienced in the family hence problems. Parenting, marital discord, and depression are other problems influenced by challenges in the family of marriage. Occupational rehabilitation is a critical factor for the problems observed and analyzed by therapists. Some of the issues that arise due to occupational rehabilitation include orthopedic injury, long-term sickness, or unemployment.
The process of development gets stuck due to various reasons most of which are identified as the responsibilities of the patient. In the case where patients expect full control and charge of the therapist, solutions that stand relevant may be hindered from implementation. On the other hand, the need for change must be deliberated by the patient. The essential person who has to identify the underlying problem that requires transformation is the individual facing it. Hence, their inability to distinguish a challenge faced denies them the chance to facilitate the process of development. Moreover, lack of willingness to focus on the goal and persistence on the past events interferes with the expected progress that is future and present-oriented. It is advisable for patients to mold the strong personalities outlined above for the processes of development to be enhanced.
4. Does the theory propose stages of the client’s life that are considered key in the developmental process?
As outlined by Trepper, McCollum, Jong, Korman, Gingerich, & Franklin (n.d.) the prominent processes of solution-focused therapy are conversation and interaction between the therapist and the client. The initial stage, in theory, is the concentration on how the clients transform instead of the focus on diagnosis and treatment. To identify the changes in which the client has undergone and possible future expectations and solutions, various questions are asked to outline the client’s past, current, and future states. From the items used in the interviews, the therapist identifies the patients’ desires and preferences hence emphasizes on the outlined issues that will help formulate solutions. The therapists ensure that the question asked to relate to the previous responses and targets to bring out the exact expectations of the client and possible ways to resolve the challenge. Hence, the process of listening, absorption, connection, and the response is maintained throughout the therapy.
5. Who are the People who are most important to understanding the client and client’s development?
Since the solution-focused therapy is collaborative, every individual involves in the sessions have the ability to understand the client and their development. For instance, the vital individual who outlines the outcome of the therapy is the patient. Hence, the changes that they undergo will be evident especially when they compare the past and the present state they are in. On the other side, the therapist who ensures that positive results are achieved is an essential witness to the client’s progress considering that they play a significant role in assisting the patients. Friends and family members also facilitate a significant role in observing the development of the client, since they understand the position and possible problems that required therapy.
6. If you had to place the following in order from most important to least important in theory, how would order emotion, cognition, behavior, interpersonal relationships, and physiological symptoms?
According to the theory, the most important from the list would be cognition since the client is expected to understand their position and needs. On the other hand, the therapist must have the knowledge needed to enhance the formulation of solutions. The interpersonal relationship would be second since collaboration in the session is a determinant of how individuals relate. Emotion and behavior can be next in the list since the feelings determined by circumstances which on the other hand influence the behavior are not focused points in the therapy sessions. Finally, physiological symptoms are not elements of focus in the therapy hence would not be considered of much importance.
Conclusion
Solution-focused therapy relies on the collaboration between the stakeholders involved who include the patient, therapist and loved ones. Each has a role to play and is expected to implement outlined solutions for efficiency. While some problems are generalized, the theory concentrates on the goal and outcomes rather than past experiences and causes of the issue at hand. Therefore, most of the times the clients determine the path to be applied since individuals are unique and their expectations are distinct from those of other individuals.
References
Cloninger, C. (2012). Healthy personality development and well-being: World Psychiatry , 11 (2), 103-104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wpsyc.2012.05.019
Gingerich, W., & Peterson, L. (2012). Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A Systematic Qualitative Review of Controlled Outcome Studies, 23 (3), 266-283. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049731512470859
Lee, M. (2013). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Encyclopedia of Social Work : http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1039
Trepper, T., McCollum, E., Jong, P. D., Korman, H., Gingerich, W., & Franklin, C. (n.d.). Solution Focused Therapy Treatment Manual for Working with Individuals Research Committee of the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association. SFBT Research.
Walter, J., & Peller, J. (1993). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. The Family Journal , 1 (1), 80-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/106648079300100114
