One long standing myth of the Solution Focused Approach is that this approach has no depth. I have even seen this written in some text books. In video I address this myth head on explain the way SFBT in fact does accomplish depth and thus helps the client resolve deep seeded meaningful change in their life.
I love this Elliott. I recently finished my Graduate Diploma in Counselling. While I enjoyed learning all of the different theories on psychopathology and how it may develop in someone, I kept coming back to the same question, “why does that matter?” It’s interesting, but it’s not really helping solve a problem or the person to move on or find a way out.. it may be interesting to know how a person developed cancer, but investigating the ‘why’ doesn’t give them a future.
With so many competing theories on what may cause the person to be in psychological pain, could any single one be right? As someone who likes to move forward (because I can’t do anything about the past, and every time I look at the past it changes), SFBT makes so much sense to me. We can acknowledge the pain, suffering, etc. but also encourage people (and ourselves) to investigate the possibilities of their future and actively enable their future. I find that far more helpful and hopeful.
I’m so glad you liked this video Bonnie. I am the same way! What drew towards the Solution Focused Approach all those years ago was the fact that it did not dwell on the past, instead focusing on the client’s future. This made more sense to me because the future is where the client can have the greatest possibility for change. Also, the future is where hope lives.