Postmodern Approaches in Counseling

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

  • Emphasizes behavior change as key for enhancing life.

  • Focus on present and future; past is less emphasized.

  • Clients set their own goals; minimal diagnostic and historical exploration.

Positive Orientation

  • Therapy based on a belief in human health and competence.

  • Aligns with positive psychology principles.

  • Focus on strengths and solutions rather than problems.

Key Assumptions of SFBT

  • Clients have the capacity for effective behavior.

  • Solutions exist for every problem.

  • Change is constant and attainable; clients act with intention to resolve problems.

Brief Therapy Characteristics

  • Quick therapist-client rapport.

  • Clearly defined and achievable goals.

  • Responsibility division: client active, therapist supportive.

  • Emphasis on immediate and realistic change.

Therapeutic Process in SFBT

  • Clients describe their problems.

  • Goals are collaboratively established.

  • Exceptions to problems are explored.

  • Progress is monitored through feedback.

The Therapeutic Relationship

  • Varieties include "Customer" (active participation) and "Complainant" or "Visitor" (less engagement).

Therapeutic Techniques in SFBT

  • Pre-therapy change, exception questions, the miracle question, scaling questions, and first session task.

  • Continuous feedback and termination starts at first session.

Narrative Therapy

  • Therapists encourage clients to share stories and view problems as separate from individuals.

Therapeutic Process in Narrative Therapy

  • Collaborate to name and understand problems.

  • Explore how problems affect clients; focus on potential futures.

  • Shift towards creating new narratives.

Role of the Narrative Therapist

  • Facilitate, support, and empower clients through respectful curiosity.

  • Help in constructing preferred storylines and establish collaborative relationships.

Application: Techniques in Narrative Therapy

  • Generate experiences rather than collect data.

  • Engage with clients from a position of curiosity and respect.

  • Use externalization and deconstruction to reshape narratives.