What concepts of the theory make it most appropriate for the client in the case study?
Solution-focused Theory, also known as Solution-Focused Brief Theory (SFBT), is goal-oriented instead of problem solving, concentrates on the desired future of the client, and assumes that there are exceptions to the problem and therapists guide clients to find alternatives (Essays UK, 2013). Other basic core beliefs of SFBT are that small, realistic, achievable steps yield more positive income (Lightfoot Jr, 2014). Solutions offered by the client may be directly or indirectly linked to finding the solution, and conversational skills are essential to help the counselor to explore possible solutions.
Why did you choose this theory over the others?
SFBT is a perfect approach for crisis intervention (Lightfoot Jr, 2014). Anna is experiencing a financial crisis after losing her job. The situation gets even worse as she worries about her husband who is deployed overseas for eight months while she raises a baby on her own. The Feminist approach is not applicable in this case since Anna’s problems are not related to gender stereotypes and prejudice. Neither is the Narrative approach since Anna’s present situation does not stem for her childhood or many years back.
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What will be the goals of counseling and what intervention strategies are used to accomplish those goals?
The goals of the therapy will be first to help Anna deal with her depression by encouraging her to be positive about her situation and look forward to find a quicker solution. Anna is also experiencing financial difficulties, which also need to be solved. Solution-Focused therapy assumes that most people have in the past solved many problems by themselves therefore they can have the ability to solve the current situation (Dolan, 2017). The therapist will work collaboratively with Anna by guiding her to find the solution. This therapy approach considers a client as the expert of his/her own life.
Is the theory designed for short-term or long-term counseling?
Solution-focused theory is a short-term approach since it concentrates on solving the present problem.
What will be the counselor’s role with this client?
The counselor will begin the session with a positive mindset that the solution lies with Anna. He/she may ask Anna if she has experienced same situations or an exception and how she solved it. SFBT focuses on what is already working with the client. According to Trepper at al. (2006) as cited by Essays UK (2013), SFBT “focuses on client strengths and resiliencies examining previous solutions and exceptions to the problem…” The therapist will then encourage Anna to continue with the positive behaviors. The main task of the therapy, according to Gingerich and Eisengart (2000) as cited by Essays UK, is to help the client visualize how she would want the future to look like and what it will take to bring the desired change. For instance, Anna is looking for financial help. The counselor may give her an option of first seeking help from her able family as she hunts for another job.
What is the client’s role in counseling?
Since SFBT assumes that the client has the ability to solve their own problems, Anna will be expected to actively participate in the process of finding a solution. Furthermore, Anna is ready to commit to the eight sessions of treatment as directed by her insurance company. Anna should be open to expressing her problems, creating goals, and evaluating her progress. Steve de Shazer, the developer of the Solution-Focused Brief Theory, established three types of clients who go to the therapist (Brightkite, n.d.). These are the customer, the complainant and the visitor. The visitor is convinced to go to therapy by someone else; hence, has no internal motivation, the complainant is open to express his/her problems but not willing to take part in finding solution, and the client actively participates in every process to reach his/her goal.
For what population(s) is this theory most appropriate? How does this theory address the social and cultural needs of the client?
Solution-Focused Theory is flexible, hence, its wide application. The approach can be used in business, education, social policy, child welfare, domestic violence and criminal justice (Dolan, 2017). SFBT concentrates “on the social and cultural context of behavior” (Lightfoot Jr, 2014). The client gives experiences from his/her social life hence the counselor does not make any assumption. Therapists also recognize and honor each story narrated by the client and cultural background. Since the client is in control of the therapy sessions, a therapist’s views will not obstruct the therapy.
What additional information might be helpful to know about this case?
A counselor may seek to know if Anna’s husband supports her morally and financially. Knowing whether she is also in good terms with her family might be helpful in finding solution.
What may be a risk in using this approach?
Since SFBT considers the client as an expert of his/her own problems, clients might be reluctant to participate in finding solution since they believe the therapist is the qualified person to offer solutions to their problems (Lightfoot Jr, 2014).
References
Lightfoot Jr. J.M. (2014, Dec). Solution Focused Therapy. Internal Journal of Science & Engineering Research , 5(12) pp. 238-240. Retrieved from https://www.ijser.org/researchpaper/Solution-Focused-Therapy.pdf
Essays, UK. (November 2013). Solution focused brief therapy . Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/psychology/study-of-solution-focused-therapy-psychology-essay.php?vref=1
Brightkite. (n.d). Solution Focused Brief Therapy Essay. Retrieved from https://brightkite.com/essay-on/sfbt
Dolan, Y. (2017). What is Solution-Focused Therapy? Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy. Retrieved from https://solutionfocused.net/what-is-solution-focused-therapy/
