Solution-Focused Techniques

Solution-focused was popularized by Milton Erickson and focuses on finding solutions to the problems rather than dwelling on the problem.

Main Components

1. The counselor must develop a working alliance with students to help solve and understand the problem.
2. Identify students' strengths and build on upon them to develop self-esteem and confidence. This will help the student want to make positive changes.
3. Implement an eclectic variety of counseling strategies and techniques to help students achieve their goals.
4. Work with students' current problem and help them set clear and measurable goals. Evaluate progress often.

Make sure that goals are co-created and agreed upon by the student. When the student makes goals, he or she will take ownership. Make sure behavioral goals are made because they can be broken down into small steps. When writing the goal, state what behavior will occur, how often, and under what conditions.

Miracle Question:

"Should a miracle occur this evening while you are sleeping and when you woke up, you suddenly realized that your dilemma was solved, what would have occurred to indicate that the miracle actually happened?"

Steps

Structure the counseling session:

• Ask students what they want to get out of counseling
• Actively listen to help clarify the students' goals, situations, feelings, and expectations
• Talk about negative goals
• Set positive goals
• Ask the miracle question
• Ask relationship questions
• Reinforce goals and be positive about circumstances
• Have students draw pictures of their goals
• Ask students to rate on a scale 1-10 how they feel about their situations
• Give compliments frequently, verbally and through writing