Podcast - Halifax Brief Therapy Centre

In this episode of Leading From Behind, we continue with our general look at some of the many applications of solution focused practice.  This time, we examine some of the ways that solution focused practice has become an increasing presence in the workplace. Solution focused practice in the workplace often takes the form of coaching - helping individuals, teams and organizations to achieve their best hopes in creating effective work environments.  At the same time, there's an increasing role for training members of organizations to use solution focused practice as defined model of practice in the areas of leadership, planning and workplace relations. During this episode, we provide two examples of solution focused practice in the workplace - a case example of a coaching session with a manager and template for working with a team who want to strengthen their performance together.In the closing resource segment of the program, we highlight the following links:SOLWorld - Sharing and Building Solution Focused Practice in OrganizationsSFWork - The Centre for Solutions Focus at WorkUniversity of Toronto - Solution Focused Brief Coaching programThe Solutions Focus"  The SIMPLE Way to Positive Change (2002) by Paul Z. Jackson & Mark McKergow Brief Coaching for Lasting Solutions (2005) by Insoo Kim Berg & Peter Szabo

Regardless of the therapeutic approach, working with children and youth can be very different from working in a helping role with adults.  And this certainly holds true when using a solution focused approach. In this episode of Leading From Behind, we take a brief and very basic look at some of the general considerations for the solution focused therapist when working with children.  In particular, we highlight the importance of seeing young people (including very young kids) as still having expertise about their own lives.  We also note the importance of building a strong therapeutic alliance with this population, as without it, successful outcomes are often doomed.  Finally, we highlight how creativity can be very important when using some of the common solution focused questions with younger clients.In the resource segment of the podcast, we highlight the following links.Working on What Works - two publications by Insoo Kim Berg and Lee ShiltsThe website of Ben Furman, creator of Kids Skills

In this episode of Leading From Behind, we take a general look at using the solution focused approach in working with couples.  While the basic structure or process of working with couples is essentially the same as when we work with individuals, this episode highlights some of the unique differences and challenges when there is more than just one client in the room.In the resource segment of this episode we highlight the following links relating to solution focused practice with couples:The work of Elliott ConnieRecreating Partnership:  A Solution-Oriented, Collaborative Approach to Couples Therapy (2001) by Toby Hiller & Phillip ZieglerRewriting Love Stories:  Brief Marital Therapy (1994) by Bill O'Hanlon & Patricia Hudson O'HanlonDivorce Busting (1993) by Michelle Weiner-Davis

In this episode of Leading From Behind, we examine solution focused conversations with mandated or involuntary clients.  For the purposes of this discussion, we describe mandated clients as people who attend sessions reluctantly and who may have little or no agreement with the referral source's description of the problem.In addressing this subject, we highlight the importance of seeing mandated clients as having expertise about their own lives, and their own good reasons for the adopting the positions they hold.Our role, as solution focused therapists, is to find a place of collaboration that reflects what's important to the client and what might also be important to the referral source.  Along the way, we note how focusing on exceptions to the problem can be a useful way of building such collaboration.Resource links in this episode:Conferences:United Kingdom Association for Solution Focused Practice  - June 12-13, 2014 at Liverpool, EnglandEuropean Brief Therapy Association  - September 26-29, 2014 at Leeuwarden, Friesland, The NetherlandsSolution Focused Brief Therapy Association  - November 2014 at Santa Fe, New MexicoThe Social Work Podcast - Also available on iTunes & Stitcher Radio App

Client feedback on the therapeutic alliance and the presence of early change have been identified as the best predictors of outcome in psychotherapy.  The Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) and the Session Rating Scale (SRS) are tools that help the solution focused practitioner generate this important feedback. In this episode of Leading From Behind, we conclude our look at Feedback Informed Treatment practices by examining how the ORS & SRS is administered, scored and then used as way of collaborating with clients in seeking a positive outcome. During the resource segment of the episode, we provide more specific information on how to obtain a free personal license for the ORS & SRS.  We also identify a useful online community for clinicians (regardless of therapeutic approach) who use feedback informed treatment practices in their work. Links: Performance Metrics page on Scott Miller's websiteInternational Center for Clinical Excellence 

This is the first of two episodes devoted to feedback informed treatment practices. In many countries, there's a growing demand for accountability and transparency in psychotherapy.  Programs, services and individual clinicians face increasing responsibility to provide evidence of their effectiveness. In this episode of Leading From Behind, we look at the rationale for including feedback informed treatment practices into your work as a solution focused therapist. Feedback informed treatment practices involve the solicitation of structured feedback from our clients at each session, regarding progress and their perception of the therapeutic alliance.  In collaboration with the client, the feedback can be used to make any adjustments necessary to invite a positive outcome.  There is increasing evidence that feedback informed treatment practices can improve outcomes and reduce dropouts, waiting lists and the average length of time some people spend in therapy.  Most of all, these practices honour the client's expertise and opinions (a foundation of the solution focused approach) and bring much needed accountability and transparency to our work as clinicians. In the resource segment of the program, we highlight two resources related to feedback informed treatment:The Heart & Soul of Change: Delivering What Works in Therapy - edited by Barry Duncan, Scott Miller, Bruce Wampold and Mark Hubble  Scott Miller's website

Building one's skills in solution focused practice requires intentionality.  In this episode of Leading From Behind, we look at three methods of maintaining an ongoing focus in this area. For most of this episode, we look at how participating in consulting teams can create rich opportunities for learning in a supportive environment.  In the absence of having a group of colleagues available for a team approach, we also identify how even sitting in each other's sessions can be a useful learning experience.  Finally, we underline the benefits that can come from reviewing audio or video recordings of your work with clients.  In the resource segment of the program, we note two week-long intensive training programs in solution focused therapy that might be of interest to practitioners in North America or Europe.  While details of the 2014 programs are not available at this time, inks to the two organizations are listed below: BRIEF Summer School Denver Center for Solution Focused Brief Therapy (Summer Intensive)

In this episode of Leading From Behind, we conclude our beginning examination of the process of conversation in follow-up sessions in solution focused therapy.  This time, we highlight how scaling questions, questioning about the next small sign of change and, of course, the end of session message are utilized. In the resource segment of the program, we provide some detail about a recently-announced solution focused therapy conference planned for Orlando, Florida.  The inaugural Solution Focused Therapy Expo founded by Elliot Connie and Linda Metcalf will be held from February 14-15, 2014.  We also note the release of the first edition of a new online journal devoted to solution focused therapy.  The International Journal of Solution Focused Practices published its first work this month and new editions will appear every six months.Details about the conference and the new journal can be found at the links below: Solution Focused Therapy ExpoInternational Journal of Solution Focused Practices

In this episode of Leading From Behind, we continue our look at follow-up sessions.  Although the solution focused therapist is concerned with "what's better" in follow-up sessions, clients invariably will report setbacks and/or circumstances that appear to remain unchanged since the previous session.The focus in this episode, therefore, is on how the solution focused practitioner responds to the many variations of 'better, worse and the same,' while at the same time maintaining a solution building stance. In the resource segment of this episode, we present links to two worthwhile articles available for download on the web: The Second Session - an article by Sweden's Dr. Harry KormanSolution Focused Therapy Treatment Manual for Working With Individuals - an updated document prepared by a number authors on behalf of the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association. 

A significant part of follow-up sessions in solution focused practice involves the exploration of improvements in the client's life since the previous contact.  In this episode of Leading From Behind, we examine the process and skills used by the solution focused practitioner as we begin the follow-up session with the simple question, "What's better?" To facilitate this discussion, we return to our case example, as we explore how the solution focused practitioner elicits, amplifies and reinforces the client's responses to the question. In the resource section of the podcast, we highlight the following books: Doing Something Different: Solution Focused Brief Therapy Practices (2011), edited by Thorana NelsonWorking with Children and Teenagers Using Solution Focused Approaches: Enabling Children to Overcome Challenges and Achieve Their Potential (2011), written by Judith Milner & Jackie BatemanNote:  The podcast will be on a summer break for the month of August.  The next episode will be released on September 1, 2013. 

While follow-up sessions in solution focused practice require many of the same skills, questions and elements of first sessions, there's no question that the structure is often more fluid.  This is because of the many variations and possibilities that a client can bring back for a follow-up session. In the first of a series of episodes devoted to this subject, this episode of Leading From Behind offers a general introduction to the conversations we have with clients when they return for a follow-up session.In particular, we introduce the the classic beginning to such sessions, where the solution focused practitioner asks the question, "What's better?"  As well, we talk about the key follow-up process to this question, where we seek to amplify and reinforce what the client has achieved since the previous section.  In the resource segment of this episode, we note two books on solution focused practice.  The first is a classic, while the second is a relatively new one: Solution Talk:  Hosting Therapeutic Conversations (2001), by Ben Furman an Tapani AholaSolution Focused Therapy for the Helping Professions (2011) by Barry Winbolt

Between session tasks, assignments or homework are a common element in psychotherapy.  In this episode of Leading From Behind, we take a look at how, when, and even if,  this practice fits with our understanding of solution focused therapy. We also note the importance of characterizing between session tasks as suggestions or experiments, rather than an obligatory assignment that's crucial to the process of change.  Finally, we provide a few examples of the two types of tasks that we might offer to our clients; ones that involve noticing what's wanted and ones that involve doing even small parts of the client's preferred future.Finally, in the resource segment of this episode, we provide a reminder about some upcoming conferences relating to solution focused practice in three different parts of the world:  European Brief Therapy Association annual conference:  September 27-29, 2013 in Bern, SwitzerlandAustralasian Association for Solution Focused Brief Therapy first annual conference: July 26-28, 2013 in Gold Coast, Queensland, AustraliaSolution Focused Brief Therapy Association annual conference:  November 6-11, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada 

We continue our examination of end of session feedback by looking at the construction and delivery of the message in our ongoing case example. In particular, we review what stands out from the conversation with our client that's worth considering in developing some compliments, validation, a restatement of what's important to the client and, finally, a suggestion or between-session task. The use of the solution focused approach with groups is the focus of the resource segment of the podcast.  Two books of note are mentioned that would be useful for anyone with an interest in applying solution focused ideas in this type of helping environment:  Solution Focused Groupwork (2007) by John SharrySolution Focused Group Therapy (2007) by Linda Metcalf 

One of the unique elements of solution focused therapy is the "break" and the delivery of end-of-session feedback to the client.  In episode 11 of Leading From Behind, we begin the first of two shows devoted to this topic.In particular, we examine the rationale for providing very deliberate feedback to the client and the importance of taking an actual break to develop it.  We also identify four key components of the feedback.In the resource segment of this episode we identify three books that serve as examples of the diverse settings where solution focused practice can be utilized.  Links mentioned in the program are as follows:Hope in Action:  Solution Focused Conversations About Suicide by Heather Fiske (2008)Solution Focused Treatment of Domestic Violence Offenders:  Accountability For Change by Mo Yee Lee, John Sebold & Adriana Uken (2003)Signs of Safety by Andrew Turnell & Steve Edwards (1999)

Eliciting and amplifying small signs of change are a central aspect of solution focused practice.  This is in keeping with the belief that small change leads to larger change.In episode 10 of Leading From Behind, we take a look at how we explore the idea of a small sign of change as we near the end of a first session. In particular, we underline the importance of being curious about a small sign of change or what the client might notice that would represent a small change, rather than negotiating some kind of next step or action that the client must or need to take. In hearing the client's response to this question about small change, we also examine how we often need to use the same skills we use when asking follow-up questions about the client's preferred future.  This can involve the deconstruction of language, adopting a "not-knowing" position and, sometimes, using relationship questions as a way of locating a response that's clear, achievable, specific and behavioural.In the resource segment of the program, we identify two explanatory articles about solution focused therapy that can be accessed online.  The idea to identify these articles was inspired by a recent question on the solution focused therapy listerv:  "What's a good article to give to someone who isn't familiar with solution focused therapy?"Solution Focused Brief Therapy by Chris Iveson in Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, (2002)Solution Focused Therapy Treatment Manual for Working With Individuals, by the SFBTA Research Committee (2010) Terry Trepper, Eric McCollum, Peter De Jong, Harry Korman, Wallace Gingerich and Cynthia Franklin

Scaling questions are a unique and essential element of solution focused practice.  In this episode of Leading From Behind, we examine some of the ways that these questions are useful in first sessions.In particular, we look at the most common scaling question asked in solution focused therapy:  An invitation to clients to describe where they see themselves in relationship to their preferred futures. We also underscore how this particular scaling question sets the stage for two key follow-up questions.  The first invites the client to describe how she has come to choose this particular number and why it's not lower.  The second invites the client to describe the next small sign of change or, in other words, how she'll know that she's moving up on this scale in some small, yet meaningful way.As part of the discussion about scaling questions, we also examine how they're used to understand the client's energy for change, as a means of gauging confidence and,  how they can be useful in recognizing risk of harm to self or others.  We also highlight how a scaling question can be combined with a relationship question, in further highlighting the client's expertise about her own life.In the resource segment of this episode, we highlight the following:The recent creation of the Australasian Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association (AASFBT), its upcoming first conference and plans for the creation of the Journal of Solution Focused Brief TherapyAn early reminder about the next Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association's upcoming annual conference to be held in Toronto, Canada from November 6-11, 2013

In this episode of Leading From Behind, we take a closer look at one of the key elements of the solution focused approach.  In the first session, and after a full exploration of the client's preferred future, the solution focused practitioner asks about exceptions - moments or times when even small parts of the preferred future already occur.In the resource section of the program, we identify two books on solution focused practice that have certainly stood the test of time:Becoming Solution Focused in Brief Therapy by John Walter and Jane PellerWorking With the Problem Drinker: A Solution Focused Approach by Insoo Kim Berg and Scott Miller

In Episode 7 of Leading From Behind, we continue our exploration of the questions and skills used in exploring the details of the client's responses to the Miracle Question.  We also examine the use of relationship questions to expand the client's description of the preferred future.During the resource section of the podcast, we provide two sources of information pertaining to outcome research on the effectiveness of solution focused therapy.Links mentioned in the podcast:Dr. Alasdair MacdonaldWally Gingerich

The exploration of the client's preferred future is a central part of a first session in solution focused therapy.  In Episode 6 of Leading From Behind, we begin our examination of the questions, skills and techniques used by the therapist during this key portion of the session.In particular, we outline how the Miracle Question sets the stage for this conversation. More important, we look closely at the key follow-up questions that invite the client to describe a preferred future that's specific, achievable, behavioural and reflects the presence of something, rather the absence.  We describe how the deconstruction of language during the conversation enables such descriptions.  We also note the importance of amplifying the client's descriptive responses as part of the solution building process.  Finally, we identify some useful ways of responding to the understandable "I don't know" replies often encountered during this part of the session.Finally, in our resource segment, we highlight Yvonne Dolan's significant contributions to the practice and development of solution focused therapy.  Her books noted in the podcast are listed below:Resolving Sexual Abuse (1991)One Small Step: Moving Beyond Trauma & Therapy to a Life of Joy (2000)Tales of Solutions:  A Collection of Hope Inspiring Stories - co-authored with Insoo Kim Berg (2001)Solution Focused Brief Therapy: Its Effective Use in Agency Settings, published in 2003 and co-authored with Teri PichotMore Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (see Episode 4 for link)

In Episode 5 of Leading From Behind, we examine the conversation that takes place in the first session of solution focused therapy, up to the point before we shift into questions about the client's preferred future. A "role-play" case example is used to demonstrate some of the questions and skills used during this portion of a first session.  In particular, we look at how to find out about the client's best hopes from the conversation, the use of coping questions and indirect compliments.  Finally, we underline the importance of asking about pre-session change.The resource segment of the podcast provides the following web links:European Brief Therapy Association Network SiteElliot Connie:Solution Building in Couples Therapy by Elliot ConnieThe Art of Solution Focused Therapy edited by Elliot Connie & Linda MetcalfThe Connie InstituteInternational Journal of Solution-Focused Practices