Solution-Focused Approach

Solution-Focused

The solution-focused approach to the strengths-based perspective is a very interesting form of therapy. This approach was founded by Milton Erickson. It stresses the future rather than the past, working towards a goal instead of looking for the cause of the problem (Van Wormer 104). With this approach the client is seen as the expert. They have it within themselves to make a goal and reach it (Carol Vivyan).  This form of therapy relies on 3 types of questions that lead the client to create a solution on their own: These are miracle questions, coping questions, and scaling questions. “The miracle question” is the base of the therapy and it changes depending on the therapist.

• “Erickson's original version of the question involved asking his client to look into the future and see themselves as they wanted to be, problems solved, and then to explain what had happened to cause this change to come about. He might also ask clients to think of a date in the future, then worked backwards, asking them what had happened at various points on the way.”

(Carol Vivyan)

Coping questions are meant to help the client understand how to handle struggles that come with addiction. For example, they might be asked:

•          “How do you cope with these difficulties?
•          Who is your greatest support?”

(Carol Vivyan)

Scaling questions are used to make the client aware of where they are in the recovery process. It shows them how far they have come and how far they still have to go in order to reach their goals. Examples of these questions are:

•          “On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is the worst it's ever been and 10 is after the miracle has happened, where are you now?
•          What would be the first sign that you had moved on one point further?”

(Carol Vivyan)

The Addiction Cycle

The addiction cycle is the routine that addicts go through. Addicts use the substance or do the behavior in order to make themselves feel good and it usually works- any bad feelings go away. Then they have negative consequences from using that can include problems with family and friends, or financial difficulty. Because of these consequences they feel guilty and then become depressed. To raise their spirits they use the substance or do the behavior again and the cycle starts all over (Van Wormer).

The solution-focused intervention would most likely beat the cycle by avoiding feelings of shame and guilt. If this therapy’s focus is the future and not the past then the intent would be to forget about the consequences and focus on reaching a goal. Having an objective could give the addict positive feelings which might help prevent relapse.

I think this approach is very helpful for people struggling with an addiction. By making them the expert they are being given the power to help themselves. This is important because if they get through recovery by using this technique then they know that they can do it on their own. In the future if they get into a bad situation that could potentially rehash their desire, they will have the knowledge and the confidence to help themselves avoid relapse. I also think it is helpful because it gives them a sense of independence. After recovering, someone struggling with an addiction will need to get back out into the real world. After years of misuse and abuse this will be hard to do. Having a partially independent recovery could give them the confidence they need to start over.

References

Vivyan, Carol. Solution Focused Therapy.  http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/sft.htm

Van Wormer, Katherine & Davis, Diane. Addiction Treatment; a strengths perspective.