Do you ever wonder how to make the most of brief interactions with consumers? Have you ever thought that focusing on people’s problems might not suit everyone you work with? Join Research Associate Dr Caitlin Miller for this listener requested episode as she sits down with Ian Johnsen to talk all things brief solution focused therapy. Learn how to get started with focusing on ‘where to’ rather than ‘where from’ in treatment, and why this modality says there’s nothing wrong with you that what’s right with you can’t fix
Resources
- Brief Therapy Institute of Sydney has good resources and training opportunities for those interested in learning more.
- The work from the team at Brief is (in Ian’s opinion) cutting edge solution focused practice and they also have many downloadable resources and tips.
A few of Ian’s favourite thinkers and practitioners:
- Harry Korman (from SIKT in Malmo Sweden) has some great papers including one of his papers demonstrating how the interaction in solution focused counselling conversations is unique and distinct from the interactions in the counselling conversations guided by other approaches.
- Ben Furman – for those working with children Ben has so many great resources, he writes clearly and works with a playful solution focused spirit. He also has a child focused website.
- Guy Shennan has some great papers on his site.
Three books that Ian recommends:
- Ratner, H., George, E., Iveson, C. (2012) Solution Focused Brief Therapy: 100 Key Ideas and Techniques. London: Routledge.
- Furman, B., & Ahola, T. (1992). Solution Talk: Hosting Therapeutic Conversations.
- Walter, J.L., & Peller, J.E. (1992). Becoming Solution-Focused In Brief Therapy (1st ed.). Routledge.
Last words of advice from Ian:
Solution focused practice is radically simple but it is hard to do in practice – not just ‘gimmicky’ techniques and quirky questions. It is commonly misrepresented by people who do not understand the radical and disciplined thinking behind it. However, the practice is dynamic and there is lots of discussion about the evolution of the approach so my tip would be not to only read the older books but to use the online resources to explore how the practice of paying close attention to interaction and trying to do more of what works has led to changes and refinements.
