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Solution-Focused Therapy is a future and goal-directed
approach to assist individuals in solving problems. The
focus is on the individual’s health but not the problem, on
strengths not on weaknesses or limitations and on skills,
resources and coping abilities to assist in reaching goals.
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) can be used to treat mental
health problems such as:
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Self-esteem
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Stress (Personal/Work related)
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Substance abuse/ addiction
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Relationship problems
SFT is best used when an individual is trying to reach
a particular goal, or overcome a particular problem. The
techniques utilized are: 1 – The Miracle Question – when
you wake up tomorrow and realized your life was perfect what
would that look like? 2 – Coping Question – how have
you coped in the past with this particular issue and
continued to function? 3 – Exceptions to the problems –
When has this problem not presented a barrier to your
life, describe what was going on? 4 – Compliments –
Identifying and acknowledging strengths – That’s great to
hear that you were first to apologize to your sister! 5
– Scaling Questions – On a scale from 1 to 5, 1 being
least and 5 being most, rate the severity of the issue.
Take a mental health moment to try out the miracle
question for a current problem/issue in your life. If you
have been on the fence about starting counseling or
returning to counseling, this may assist you in getting an
idea of how things can be better. While not all counselors
utilize SFT, the presenting problem and goals should be
clear by the end of the assessment. You will just have a
head start on the bigger goal (solution) as sometimes that
solution does seem to be in the necessity of a miracle.
Bernadette Graham is
a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor, National
Certified Counselor and Certified Grief Recovery
Specialist. Provide feedback or reach out at
graham.bernadette@gmail.com For appointment information
please call 419.409.4929 (Telehealth is available for
ongoing and new clients at this time as well as in person
appointments available on Tuesdays and Fridays only). Office
location is 3454 Oak Alley Ct. Suite 300 Toledo, OH 43606
www.bjgrahamcounseling.com
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