Psychotherapeutic Methods Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts and techniques from Brief Solution Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy lectures.

Brief Solution Focused Therapy

Developed in the late 70s and 80s by Steve de Shazer and his associates, it focuses on identifying exceptions to problems and developing solutions.

Basic theoretical assumption of Brief Solution Focused Therapy

Clients possess the resources and strengths needed to resolve problems.

Stage 1 of Therapy: Problem-free talk

Building rapport and identifying client strengths before discussing the problem.

Stage 2 of Therapy: Statement of the problem

Involves asking the family about the problem and its impact on them.

Stage 3 of Therapy: Exploration of solution patterns

Exploring past and present exceptions to the problem to discover solutions.

Miracle Question

A question used to establish therapy goals by envisioning a problem-free future.

Guidelines for Well-formed Goals

Important, Small, Concrete, Positive, Realistic, Achievable

Scaling questions

Used to assess the client’s position regarding solutions and to define potential steps for change.

First session formula task

An assignment to help clients focus on the future and note positive aspects of their lives.

Strengths-based model of therapy

A model that emphasizes solutions over problems, focusing on past successes and client-defined goals.

Narrative Therapy

A postmodern, social constructionist approach influenced by Foucault, Derrida, Bateson, and Geertz.

Assumption of narrative therapists

The problem is the problem; the person is not the problem.

Alternative story in narrative therapy

Stories that do not support the dominant story and suggest new possibilities.

Deconstruction in narrative therapy

Interpreting beliefs and experiences to undermine the problem's narrative.

Dominant story in narrative therapy

Fixed beliefs influencing past, present, and future understanding of oneself.

Mapping the influence of the problem

Revealing how the problem affects every aspect of life.

Problem-saturated story

A dominant story preventing change and alternative narratives.

Unique outcomes

Moments when the problem was absent, contradicting the problem experience.

Externalizing the problem

Separating the problem from the person through objectification.

Outsider-Witnesses group

Listeners who provide reflections to the person as they discuss their story and future.