SOLUTION-FOCUS

Solution-Focus

Solution-Focus

Solution Focus Brief Counseling is a strength-based, student-driven approach that attempts to facilitate change by identifying and implementing solutions, rather than exploring the origin and nature of problems. It has been suggested that Solution Focus Brief Counseling “it offers great promise as a time-effective, cooperative approach for school [psychologists] that shifts the focus from 'what's wrong' to 'what's working' with students” (Murphy, 1997, p. 5). Solution Focus Brief Counseling generally occurs in 4-6 sessions and is guided by seven core principles that are imperative to elicit positive behavioral changes. Below is the list of these principles:

1. People are capable of remarkable change and are resourceful, bringing strengths and successes to the counseling situation.

2. Cooperation and a strong student-practitioner alliance enhance change.

3. Focus on future solutions, rather than past problems.

4. No problem is constant; there are always exceptions to problems.

5. Small changes can “ripple” into bigger changes.

6. Ongoing and systematic student feedback improves outcomes.

7. If it works, do more of it; if it does not, do something different.

Most importantly for me, Solution Focus Brief Counseling requires creating clear, student-driven goals that identify ideal behaviors. Such goals should be concrete, specific, and focused on positive, rather than negative, behaviors. To accomplish these goals, I encourage students to do more of what has been successful in the past or to do something entirely different - if their current solutions are not providing favorable outcomes. In addition to these guiding principles, several key elements are used to elicit change and are integral for the Solution Focus Brief Counseling process.

The increasing emphasis on school-based mental health services is likely to increase the demand for school psychologists to provide counseling with students. Providing counseling in the school context can be challenging, especially given time constraints and a limited number of sessions. Solution-focused brief counseling is ...