SOCW 6060 Solution-Focused Model

SOCW 6060 Solution-Focused Model

Discussion: Solution-Focused Model: Asking Questions

Social workers who utilize the solution-focused model are mindful of how their conversations with their clients, families, groups, or even community members facilitate their thinking about solutions. The client is always the “expert,” and therefore social workers ask questions to explore how the client perceives the problem and situation.

Social workers may use solution-focused questions such as the miracle question. For example, “Suppose you woke up one morning and by some miracle everything you ever wanted, everything good you could ever imagine for yourself, had actually happened—your life had turned out exactly the way you wanted it. What would be different in your life?” When clients are asked this, it forces them to reflect on what they want or would like to achieve. By projecting themselves into the future, clients are more likely to imagine what is possible rather than focusing on the past and their failures. This allows for the possibility of developing solutions.

In this Discussion, you apply the solution-focused model and solution-focused questions. You provide other solution-focused questions, similar to the miracle question that was provided for you.

Although the textbook provides actual examples of solution-focused questions, always think about your client—you may have to modify the question a bit to take into account the client’s age, cognitive and developmental stage, culture, etc., so that the question makes sense to the client.

To prepare:

•        Recall a case from your fieldwork experience to use for this Discussion.
•        Review and focus on pages 520–521 in your textbook.

Post:

•        In 1 to 2 sentences, briefly identify and describe the problem as perceived by the client, family, or group that you dealt with in your past fieldwork experience.
•        From the list of solution-focused questions on page 520 (e.g., exception questions, coping questions, scaling questions, and relationship questions), identify two different types of questions, and ask each question as if you were actually asking the questions to the client. (Remember, do not use the miracle question.)

o   Remember that the goal of these questions is to assist clients in identifying a solution

•        Explain how asking these two questions would help the client in coming up with the solution.
•        In 1 to 2 sentences, reflect and explain how asking these questions made you feel and perhaps how the client might feel.

SAMPLE ANSWER

Solution-Focused Model

Introduction

The solution-focused model is a framework for making positive changes in your life. It can be used by anyone, from the most experienced therapist to the newcomer who still needs help with some basic skills. This article will provide an overview of how this model works and examples of scaling questions for mental health issues as well as how to use them effectively.

Solution-Focused Model

The solution-focused model is a type of therapy that focuses on what is working in a person’s life, rather than what is not working. The idea behind this solution-focused model is to help people find solutions to their problems. This type of therapy can be helpful for people who are dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.

The solution-focused model was developed by Drs David M. Glasser and Richard B. Schwartz (1978). They focused on helping their patients identify the core causes of their problems, then search for ways to solve those causes rather than just focusing on symptoms and coping strategies

When you think about a problem, what are the first thoughts that come to mind?

When you think about a problem, what are the first thoughts that come to mind? What is the problem? What is the cause of the problem? Are your goals clear and specific, or are they vague and general (e.g., “to be more effective” or “to improve relationships”). How do you feel about this problem? Do you have any strengths or weaknesses that might help you solve this issue successfully in collaboration with other people on your team or within an organization where there are multiple stakeholders involved.

When thinking about solutions for problems like these:

• Be sure to consider all possible resources (people and finances) at hand before making decisions so that everyone knows what they need before starting work together

• Use brainstorming techniques such as group discussions where everyone contributes ideas on how best solve issues

Are you ready to start making changes?

Now that you have a better understanding of the process, it’s time to get started. You can start today if you’re ready and confident in your ability to make changes. If not, don’t worry—you still have time to prepare.

It’s important that you feel ready before starting any new endeavor or change in your life. By preparing yourself mentally, emotionally and spiritually through prayer and meditation before beginning any new task or activity will help ensure success along the way!

Begin by defining your problem.

The first step in solving any problem is to define it. You must know what your goal is, and how you will achieve it before you begin the process of solving a problem.

You should set goals for yourself so that you know where to start and where to end up. Your goals should be ambitious but realistic — don’t try to do too much too soon! For example, if one day at work is all you have time for between showers and lunch breaks (and if this happens often), then set aside three months’ worth of fitness so that each day has something worthwhile going on during those moments when other people’s attention isn’t focused on anything else but themselves; this way they can see firsthand just how much progress we’ve made toward our health goals over time as well.”

What does your ideal future look like?

As you start to consider your goals, think about the future you would like to live in. What do you want it to look like? What are the most important things that need to happen for your ideal future? How will you know when they happen?

Once you have an idea of what kind of person or company/organization/individuality looks like, write down all of the things that could possibly come between now and then (e.g., getting fired from work). Then ask yourself: “What stops me from achieving my goal?”

Examples of scaling questions for mental health issues include

• How do you feel about the problem?

• How much does the problem affect your life?

• How long have you had this issue in your life?

• What is the worst part of it for you, and how did that happen or change over time (e.g., was there a specific moment when something happened)?

• What do others think causes problems like this one (e.g., do they believe that stress caused your depression)?

Once you have answered your scaling question, be sure to review all of the steps in the solution-focused model.

The solution-focused model is a psychotherapy technique that helps people identify their problems, find solutions for them and move forward. It’s based on the idea that people are generally able to solve their own problems.

Conclusion

If you’re ready to make some changes, start by getting a better understanding of your own mind and how it works. We hope this article has helped you gain some clarity on the solution-focused model and your own personal journey towards wellness. The next step is going out and doing something about it!