Introduction
The Smiths have several problems that they need assistance fixing right now. Mary, aged 9, has chosen not to do her schoolwork or attend school, and Robert, aged 13, isolates himself since he is not getting perfect grades and is unhappy. Tom and Linda, who have been married for 16 years, have reported that they do not feel exceptionally connected to one another. Tom and Linda feel helpless while dealing with Mary’s outbursts and behavior.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) would be the best approach for this family. This family fits the model’s criteria since many issues must be resolved. The model would work because it would allow the family to stop worrying about the past and start working on the future. This study will explain why people have difficulties and how they can improve using SFBT by describing the situation in Smith’s family in detail. SFBT gives families the confidence to work through their problems by focusing on the positive aspects.
Rationale for Selecting the SFBT Model
The fundamental purpose of SFBT is to diagnose and resolve issues rapidly. Brief therapy focusing on finding and fixing specific issues is effective since it is centered on finding solutions. Having been developed in the 1970s by De Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, SFBT is a modern method of psychotherapy; its focus is on resolutions rather than flaws or root causes (Sagar & Özabaci, 2022). In SFBT’s constructionist approach, no absolute reality exists outside what humans create. They can address issues, find answers, and improve living standards (Zhang, 2022). Since eliciting responses is the method’s primary objective, the counselor’s choice of language is crucial. Using language that is upbeat and uplifting is critical for effective psychotherapy.
During SFBT sessions, therapists use a scripted series of questions to steer the conversation. For instance, by asking clients about their coping strategies, therapists can see how open and resourceful their patients are. The therapist seeks to understand how clients carry out their everyday responsibilities in the face of arising difficulties. Therefore, SFBT can shed light on how individuals manage stressful situations. Those who believe in miracles can imagine a world where the issue does not exist (Özkapu, 2022).
This line of questioning encourages people to describe how their lives would alter if the problem did not exist, which might lead to identifying manageable, immediate improvements. The patient may say they are at ease among their loved ones but cannot be genuinely relaxed until the current issue is resolved. By imagining a world in which the problem no longer exists, people may be encouraged to make positive behavioral adjustments and gain insight into how they might enhance the quality of their own lives.
When rating a person’s accomplishments or how others perceive them, scaled questions utilize a numerical scale, typically from zero to 10. These inquiries are commonly used when there is insufficient time for a detailed response to the miracle question (Sagar & Özabaci, 2022). They aid therapists in comprehending their patients’ motivation, confidence, and hope. In addition, those who have difficulty articulating their feelings may find this method more accessible (Mirzanezhad, 2020). Individuals, couples, and families have all benefited from SFBT’s use in treatment. Treatment recipients are the primary target audience for this technique, which was created to aid problem-solving.
However, SFBT has evolved to deal with problems in various settings, such as academic institutions and workplaces. Evidence suggests that people of all ages, income levels, and cultural backgrounds may benefit from this therapy. It is most often utilized to treat conditions for which the patient has some idea of a possible treatment. For kids having issues with their conduct or schoolwork, SFBT is effective in studies (Zhang, 2022). It has also shown potential as a method for treating couples and families.
Brief therapy focusing on finding solutions rather than dwelling on issues encourages clients to open up, which facilitates psychotherapists to achieve the intended outcome. Treatment of this type is centered on encouraging patients to look forward to a better future rather than dwelling on their past mistakes. Substance misuse, anxiety, and depression are just a few mental health conditions that have improved with SFBT (Pujowati et al., 2022). Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of two parent-assisted therapy techniques for addressing childhood anxiety disorders are compared and contrasted in the study by Fiana et al. (2022). SFBT was more effective than Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in managing anxiety disorders in children. SFBT was also found to be less expensive than cognitive behavioral therapy.
Detailed Description
The Smith family struggles due to several factors, including Mary, who refuses to do her schoolwork or attend school, and Robert, who becomes frustrated quickly and isolates himself. Additionally, while they have been married for 16 years, Tom and Linda do not feel close to one another. People who feel vulnerable or trapped in their current circumstances are more likely to experience issues (Pujowati et al., 2022). Mary’s temper tantrums and disruptive behavior have left Tom and Linda helpless.
The family would appreciate assistance in resolving these issues, causing tension and discord. Mary, the daughter, maybe avoiding her schoolwork and school attendance for various reasons. Perhaps she needs help understanding the content and is becoming frustrated. It is also possible that Mary is the victim of bullying at school. She may be taking her frustrations out on her studies and classmates because of problems at home. Mary’s refusal to do her studies or attend class necessitates investigating why she is acting this way.
Robert may withdraw from his social circle and get irritable for various reasons. Maybe he is going through a hormone shift, making him cranky and distant. He could also be stressed out and overwhelmed by school, social life, and family demands. In addition, Robert’s anxiety and despair may be making it hard for him to function normally. Talking to Robert face-to-face is the most excellent option if family members are worried about his actions.
The challenges persist since the family has yet to deal with its unique problems. Tom and Linda are helpless and do nothing to fix the issues. If Mary keeps rebelling against her parents and refuses to do her schoolwork or attend class, they may feel vulnerable and hopeless. The model shows that people can improve their lives by fixing the problems holding them back (Pujowati et al., 2022). The therapist should work with the clients to help them see their inner resources and develop fresh perspectives. The therapist could also encourage the patients to aim low and accomplish incremental successes.
Since it emphasizes a person’s positive qualities more than weaknesses, the solutions-based model is an appropriate therapeutic approach for the Smith family. The SFBT therapeutic model helps generate a therapy method in which the client and therapist collaborate to identify problems and develop strategies for resolving them (Medina et al., 2022). The family should initially speak with the psychotherapist to discuss their concerns, and then the therapist and family collaborate on treatment objectives. The therapist would work with the family to evaluate existing strengths and resources to identify potential solutions to the underlying problems.
Problems exist, so the thinking goes in SFBT because answers have not been found. A lack of practical coping skills, negative thought patterns, and unfavorable family or cultural influences are some of the usual causes of problems, as described in SFBT (Finlayson et al., 2021). Traumatic experiences or difficult circumstances also contribute to people’s difficulties.
A lack of effective coping mechanisms has been linked to people’s problems (Salcedo & Tadros, 2022). In their article, Salcedo and Tadros (2022) discuss the positive effects of rigorous, solution-oriented treatment for juvenile offenders. According to the authors, the therapy positively affects the participants’ mental health and lowers the recidivism rate. Life can be challenging, and sometimes people need assistance working through those challenges.
Problems can be solved if people focus on what they do well and draw upon their existing resources. The Smiths may make changes by relying on their internal resources and strengths. For instance, they can utilize their assets to devise a strategy for Mary’s academic performance and attendance.
Clients can improve by, for example, relying on their internal resources to effect positive changes. Tom and Linda Smith, for example, can work together to better communicate inside their marriage by drawing on each other’s talents. Medina et al. (2022) establish that improved communication can mend fences and cement bonds. To address the problems in their marriage, Tom and Linda can use their financial means to see a psychotherapist or counselor.
Mary and Robert may use their talents and resources to solve their problems. Both Mary and Robert can benefit academically by focusing on and building upon their respective talents. They can also see a therapist to help them work through their problems. By drawing on their skills and abilities, clients can find solutions to their difficulties and boost the quality of their lives (Akgül-Gündoğdu & Selçuk-Tosun, 2023). The family can pool its knowledge and resources to devise a strategy to help Robert cope with his anger and isolation. Tom and Linda have the resources and benefits to create a plan for their marriage.
The Smiths need the therapist to be objective in assessing the family’s interactions and a reliable point of contact when conflicts develop; that is, it is the therapist’s responsibility to direct the sessions. This family would benefit from the SFBT model’s use of practices like questioning, counseling, practical instruction, and role-playing with the therapist. This would allow the family to find its equilibrium; a sequence of circular inquiries should be posed to the Smiths during the initial sessions. This will demonstrate the collective family perspective instead of just one person’s. By asking the right questions, the therapist can unearth the recurring or cybernetic circuits that link things like people, places, things, ideas, feelings, experiences, beliefs, and circumstances.
The therapist might learn more about the root causes of the client’s issues by asking the right questions. By doing so, the answer helps support the viewpoint implied by the query, and the client is more likely to see it as a valid point of view (Walker et al., 2022). The therapist might then use the client’s remarks as supporting evidence when discussing issues and potential remedies. The counseling profession requires only helpful questions; this indicates that everything asked should have significance and can be used to explain events or locate answers. Questions are a highly potent blend of human inventiveness and reason.
Robert is spending hours alone, thus failing to facilitate family members talking to and getting to know one another. Attributable to his short temper, he alienates himself from his loved ones. Needs and goals for therapy sessions should be discussed; a candid conversation, role-playing, and efficient teaching would prove invaluable. Communication about what each family member appreciates about the other, as well as what the parents feel should be improved; active listening, understanding, and mutual support from all players are all important components of successful therapy (Akgül-Gündoğdu & Selçuk-Tosun, 2023).
Sometimes, the allotted assignment will focus on one or more of these areas. The therapist can refer Robert and Mary to an appropriate outpatient program to receive treatment. Therapists now often involve all family members jointly and individually in therapy sessions, and they inform them about available programs. The family should pull together to aid Robert and Mary in their struggles.
DSM-5 allows for the organization of a framework for categorizing mental diseases and syndromes. Disorders thought to have origins in early-life neurodevelopment are discussed first, followed by those more common in adolescence and early adulthood, and finally, those more prevalent in later life. Mary meets the criteria for a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis in the DSM-5, as negative alterations in cognition and mood characterize the condition. Changes include, for example, the development and maintenance of negative ideas about oneself, others, and the world.
Constant self-blame for the arising incidents and their aftereffects is an example of such erroneous thinking (Akgül-Gündoğdu & Selçuk-Tosun, 2023). It causes one to feel sad or angry, lose interest in or motivation to do things, withdraw from social interactions, and feel powerless over their emotions. Mary will need much love and encouragement from her siblings, parents, and community. Therapists should be familiar with the ethics code to maintain professional limits with their clients and avoid developing friendships.
It is vital to discuss what each family member values most and how those values might be brought into harmony. The therapist is responsible for each family member, explaining how they can develop healthy relationships while considering each person’s unique abilities and interests. Therapists may use tangible resources and maneuvers to enhance the therapeutic process (Reddy et al., 2022). The therapist’s importance is assumed throughout SFBT, and every effort is made to detail the responsibilities of a trained counselor at various points in the treatment process.
The solution-focused therapy therapist can work with the family to accomplish their current and future goals. This shifts the emphasis of treatment from the past to the future. Instead of trying to fix their clients’ problems, therapists should focus on building on their clients’ strengths. Tom and Linda Smith could benefit from SFBT because it would help them recognize the positive aspects of their relationship and build upon those strengths.
It might be helpful for the therapist as a family and marriage counselor to support the Smiths by drawing attention to instances in which they were forced to make challenging and rewarding choices. Employing miracle questions is another viable and helpful strategy (Reddy et al., 2022). Clients benefit from miracle questions because they enable them to simultaneously focus on the future and imagine a world in which their problem does not exist. Since SFBT is a strength-driven practice, clients are encouraged to identify and capitalize on their strengths to overcome the issue.
Conclusion
Clients in this situation may benefit from solution-focused therapy since it encourages them to focus on their strengths rather than problems. This treatment model may help the clients determine their goals and develop a plan. The clients may find this therapy helpful in handling stressful situations. SFBT is an effective solution for troubled teens struggling in the classroom and adults in their life challenges.
Family therapy and interpersonal counseling are other areas where SFBT has demonstrated significant efficacy. The therapist can help this family more by using techniques from the SFBT model, such as questioning, counseling, successful instruction, and role-playing. Each inquiry should add something to the conversation and help illuminate the situation or lead to a solution.
Understanding the ethics code can help therapists set appropriate client boundaries and avoid friendships. Therapists should not try to solve their clients’ problems for them but rather work to enhance those in which they already excel. Since SFBT is a solution-driven approach, it stresses the importance of focusing on the client’s strengths as a means of problem resolution.
References
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