Good Video. One misunderstanding of SFBT. Any change is good change. At 1:45 you state that if a person consumes more alcohol that is change from a SFBT perspective. This can't be further from the truth. Drinking more alcohol would be considered doing more of the same by increasing the behavior. Please refer to the book Change: Problem Formation, Problem Resolution and I think you will gain a better understanding of what SFBT means by change. Otherwise, you articulate the model very well. Thanks.
I liked the techniques of finding the exception to the problem and scaling. However, I found the technique of the miracle question confusing. I think it would be difficult for many clients to envision and describe how they would know when their problem is gone. I feel like many clients would not be able to describe this, except for how they would feel when the problem is gone. I like that this therapy has a reframing technique similar to Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy and helps the client discover new meanings. I do wish that Solution-Focused Therapy could focus more on the past.
Great video Dr Grande. I was actually in class for my masters degree a couple of days ago, and we were watching a video on solution-focused therapy. On the side list, this video was on there haha. So I thought I would check it out when I got home!
I think like all therapies, this too has it's place and population that it would be useful with. I have a difficult time accepting the idea that a clients past is essentially ignored and focusing solely on the present can be completely effective. I do like the goal setting and not just the larger goal setting but the more achievable goals. In reality this is necessary if this therapy is brief.
I also wish that the client's past could be further explored in this type of therapy. I agree that small and achievable goals make much more sense for most clients. I could see myself using Solution-Focused therapy for clients who need immediate relief to problems.
Great explanation on this form of therapy! This helps me to know how I should deal with 'resistance' with the clients' I am working with. I know resistance means something, but, how to work with it from an advantage point is not always easy. Thank you for sharing.:)
I appreciate the emphasis on the distinction of Reality Therapy's view of problems and Solution-focused. In RT problems are because of relationships while with SF problems are within relationships. On that note, the same is true of the emphasis of the similarity shared of resistance with Motivational Interviewing. These comparisons and contrasts are helpful not only with understanding the concepts, but also determining how the approach and techniques work with various populations. While I disagree that any change should be deemed good, there are several aspects that I like about SF. These aspects include both the positive and collaborative approach and the client as the expert because, as stated; the goal is for the client to connect with forgotten and unrecognized wisdom. Accepting the responsibility for change allows individuals to reflect and think of appropriate solutions. I value the techniques of reframing as well as scaling and the miracle and exceptions questions.
I’m curious: is there a therapy that looks to address difficulties that arise primarily out of relationships to or with institutions? Not as in physical entities but societal institutions so to speak?
Solution focus therapy is a technique that I would consider integrated. The exception to the problem and the miracle question are useful tools to help the client see things in a positive light. I think the exception to the problem helps the client to see that the miracle did take place at one point in time and its achievable again. The goal aspect helps to reinforce that one small step at a time.
Thank you for very detailed summary of SFT or SFBT and I would say most of it seems to be on point. However I definitely feel some things need to be challenged in what you're saying. First of all when you say there are no theories, What does that mean there's no theories? I have a hard time buying that one. I'm sure there's been plenty of research done and theoretical perspectives. The theory would be I mean this probably isn't scientific but this is sort of just a common sense general type of thing about theory. SFT is a positive psychology like you said. The theory and the general underpinnings of positive psychology are that the more you focus and help the client focus on solutions and on positivity rather than negative perspectives or dwelling on their problems that are not solvable, then you're sort of retraining the mind to be more positive and to be more solution focused. So that's the theory. So why is that not a theory? It's a positive psychology, so if this is not a theory, then positive psychology also has no theories, which of course is not true. I'd also say CBT is similar in that regard too In CBT, you're educating the client about cognitive distortions, e.g., distorted thinking and to shift to more positive and more healthy perspectives or patterns of thinking. So they're actually very similar and there's definitely a crossover It seems the reason you say SFT doesnt have "theory" He's probably because it's used quite extensively in life coaching, which is true. Maybe you think this is not academia or research heavily enough or something I don't know but I feel that life coaching is getting more academic and more deeply researched and now in recent years and it should be and there's a crossover there between life coaching and counseling for sure as well
Thank you for the clear descriptions it seems to be like there's 2 camps of thoughts , one is structured more directive and based on empirical truth and the other more intuitive , up for interpretations where the client is king . Is there any therapy with a good mix of both ?
That is an excellent question. I have never found one modality that really balances objective and subjective ideas terribly well. I suppose one idea would be an approach integrating REBT or CT with something like Narrative or SFBT, but the underlying philosophies are incompatible. So there would be a series of techniques used that did not fit together logically.
Don't quite agree with the idea that Solution Focused Therapy does not have any theory to underpin it - there's a raft of literature about the model that would say otherwise. It's also a constructionist approach (ie., social constructionist) rather than a constructivist approach as mentioned in the video - a subtle, yet important difference.
What is this "universal truth" you speak of [9:55]? Which therapist (or scientist for that matter) knows the universal truth? Didn't Einstein disprove this concept? I'm asking sincerely.
This method is complete bullshit for anyone looking to actually talk about their issues. I can get more insight from one hour of CBT than I can in 6 sessions of “solutions” where the counselor just works on excel sheets to prove how depressed I apparently am 🤣
Solution Focused Brief Therapy is great for Life Coaches because you are focused on the solution to the problem and not focused on the problems.
Thank you for the easy to understand introduction to this theory! It is a good primer to get me started for studying it this week in class.
You're welcome!
Good Video. One misunderstanding of SFBT. Any change is good change. At 1:45 you state that if a person consumes more alcohol that is change from a SFBT perspective. This can't be further from the truth. Drinking more alcohol would be considered doing more of the same by increasing the behavior. Please refer to the book Change: Problem Formation, Problem Resolution and I think you will gain a better understanding of what SFBT means by change. Otherwise, you articulate the model very well. Thanks.
Thank you for your practical, in depth, and easy to follow descriptions of treatment modalities !
I liked the techniques of finding the exception to the problem and scaling. However, I found the technique of the miracle question confusing. I think it would be difficult for many clients to envision and describe how they would know when their problem is gone. I feel like many clients would not be able to describe this, except for how they would feel when the problem is gone. I like that this therapy has a reframing technique similar to Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy and helps the client discover new meanings. I do wish that Solution-Focused Therapy could focus more on the past.
very insightful views and summary of description about solution focused therapy. Thanks!
Great video Dr Grande. I was actually in class for my masters degree a couple of days ago, and we were watching a video on solution-focused therapy. On the side list, this video was on there haha. So I thought I would check it out when I got home!
I think like all therapies, this too has it's place and population that it would be useful with. I have a difficult time accepting the idea that a clients past is essentially ignored and focusing solely on the present can be completely effective. I do like the goal setting and not just the larger goal setting but the more achievable goals. In reality this is necessary if this therapy is brief.
I also wish that the client's past could be further explored in this type of therapy. I agree that small and achievable goals make much more sense for most clients. I could see myself using Solution-Focused therapy for clients who need immediate relief to problems.
Thanks Dr. Grande! Studying and writing papers for CACREP is so much better since I found your channel 💜
Another great easy to understand video.
Very helpful, will be sharing this with my fellow students, thanks Dr. T
Great explanation on this form of therapy! This helps me to know how I should deal with 'resistance' with the clients' I am working with. I know resistance means something, but, how to work with it from an advantage point is not always easy. Thank you for sharing.:)
Thank you Dr. Grande!
Excellent job doc! Very well done. Thanks for the education.
You're welcome!
I appreciate the emphasis on the distinction of Reality Therapy's view of problems and Solution-focused. In RT problems are because of relationships while with SF problems are within relationships. On that note, the same is true of the emphasis of the similarity shared of resistance with Motivational Interviewing. These comparisons and contrasts are helpful not only with understanding the concepts, but also determining how the approach and techniques work with various populations. While I disagree that any change should be deemed good, there are several aspects that I like about SF. These aspects include both the positive and collaborative approach and the client as the expert because, as stated; the goal is for the client to connect with forgotten and unrecognized wisdom. Accepting the responsibility for change allows individuals to reflect and think of appropriate solutions. I value the techniques of reframing as well as scaling and the miracle and exceptions questions.
I’m curious: is there a therapy that looks to address difficulties that arise primarily out of relationships to or with institutions? Not as in physical entities but societal institutions so to speak?
Solution focus therapy is a technique that I would consider integrated.
The exception to the problem and the miracle question are useful tools to help
the client see things in a positive light. I think the exception to
the problem helps the client to see that the miracle did take place at one
point in time and its achievable again. The goal aspect helps to reinforce
that one small step at a time.
Thank you Dr Grande ☺️
Excellent summary - thank you.
SFBT is absolutely a theory. It is considered a behavioral form of therapy which actively emphasizes positive reinforcement.
Great stuff. Very succinct and understandable.
Thank you!
Thank you for very detailed summary of SFT or SFBT and I would say most of it seems to be on point. However I definitely feel some things need to be challenged in what you're saying.
First of all when you say there are no theories, What does that mean there's no theories? I have a hard time buying that one. I'm sure there's been plenty of research done and theoretical perspectives. The theory would be I mean this probably isn't scientific but this is sort of just a common sense general type of thing about theory.
SFT is a positive psychology like you said. The theory and the general underpinnings of positive psychology are that the more you focus and help the client focus on solutions and on positivity rather than negative perspectives or dwelling on their problems that are not solvable, then you're sort of retraining the mind to be more positive and to be more solution focused. So that's the theory. So why is that not a theory? It's a positive psychology, so if this is not a theory, then positive psychology also has no theories, which of course is not true.
I'd also say CBT is similar in that regard too In CBT, you're educating the client about cognitive distortions, e.g., distorted thinking and to shift to more positive and more healthy perspectives or patterns of thinking. So they're actually very similar and there's definitely a crossover
It seems the reason you say SFT doesnt have "theory" He's probably because it's used quite extensively in life coaching, which is true. Maybe you think this is not academia or research heavily enough or something I don't know but I feel that life coaching is getting more academic and more deeply researched and now in recent years and it should be and there's a crossover there between life coaching and counseling for sure as well
Interesting video, thank you Dr Grande. 😊
You're welcome!
Thanks for this summary.
I like your cacti background way better. 🌵
Thank you for the clear descriptions it seems to be like there's 2 camps of thoughts , one is structured more directive and based on empirical truth and the other more intuitive , up for interpretations where the client is king .
Is there any therapy with a good mix of both ?
That is an excellent question. I have never found one modality that really balances objective and subjective ideas terribly well. I suppose one idea would be an approach integrating REBT or CT with something like Narrative or SFBT, but the underlying philosophies are incompatible. So there would be a series of techniques used that did not fit together logically.
Don't quite agree with the idea that Solution Focused Therapy does not have any theory to underpin it - there's a raft of literature about the model that would say otherwise. It's also a constructionist approach (ie., social constructionist) rather than a constructivist approach as mentioned in the video - a subtle, yet important difference.
Please give more examples.
What is this "universal truth" you speak of [9:55]? Which therapist (or scientist for that matter) knows the universal truth? Didn't Einstein disprove this concept? I'm asking sincerely.
It has a theory of change, what do you mean when you say it has no theory to it?
The scientific method may provide a truth to work with but it is not universal.
This method is complete bullshit for anyone looking to actually talk about their issues. I can get more insight from one hour of CBT than I can in 6 sessions of “solutions” where the counselor just works on excel sheets to prove how depressed I apparently am 🤣