Working with couples presents a unique set of challenges, and this book sets forth a way of working through those challenges using solution-focused methods. Solution-focused therapy (SFT) with couples requires the therapist to keep the discussion targeted squarely on solutions and to avoid any distractions related to the couple’s problem story. The therapist should choose a response that acknowledges the problem but moves the conversation toward a more positive discussion of the future. The idea is to think of establishing a best hope similar to selecting a destination rather than setting a goal. The therapist works to uncover the positive aspects of the couple’s life, and how they were living before their problem; this is referred to as listening with a constructive ear. Honeymoon talk in SFT re-establishes brilliance by reviewing past successes and allowing each partner to take credit for those successes. The process of gathering details about a preferred future is therapeutic in itself; the more thorough their description of their future, the more good it is likely to do. SF practitioners use scales to chart a client’s progress toward a desired future, to highlight exceptions, develop tasks, and identify strengths. Using the couple’s own words is the most important step in formulating helpful feedback. Feedback should be related to the couple’s strengths and the traits that have the potential to lead them away from their problem toward the preferred future. The procedure for follow-up sessions is similar to that of first sessions except that the steps are followed in a slightly different order.

This book provides a comprehensive model for effectively blending the two main postmodern brief therapy approaches: solution focused and narrative therapies. It harnesses the power of both models the strengths-based, problem-solving approach of solution focused therapy (SFT) and the value-honoring and re-descriptive approach of narrative therapy to offer brief, effective help to clients that builds on their strengths and abilities to envision and craft preferred outcomes. The book provides an overview of the history of both models and outlines their differences, similarities, limitations, and strengths. It then demonstrates how to blend these two approaches in working with such issues as trauma, addictions, grief, relationship issues, family therapy, and mood issues. Each concern is illustrated using a case study from practice that focuses on individual adults, adolescents, children, or families. Sample client dialogues and forms are included to help the clinician guide clients in practice. SFT has provided therapists with new tools for working with clients who are dealing with substance abuse. The book provides a summary of research findings that have shown the effectiveness of the solution focused approach over the problem-focused approach. The narrative model invites clients to construct a new presentation in a problematic story (narrative) and develop a script for a preferred future (solution focused), with a newly crafted character, instigating new strategies for actions (solution focused), based on exceptions.

This book provides brief overviews of various models, including their history, views of change, views of the family, and the role of the therapist. The models include: Bowen family systems theory; contextual family therapy and restoration therapy; cognitive behavioral family therapy models; rational emotive behavior therapy; symbolic-experiential family therapy; Satir human validation process model; Milan systemic family therapy; structural family therapy; strategic family therapy; solution-focused therapy with families; solution-focused narrative therapy with families; narrative therapy with families; emotionally focused therapy; and medical family therapy. The book covers each model in a consistent way, so that the reader can better understand the underlying theories and practical distinctions between them. It explains how the cognitive behavioral therapist (CBT) differs from the solution-focused therapist (SFT) in the way of being direct and prescriptive with clients (CBT) rather than letting the client decide the direction of therapy (SFT). The book also explains how restoration therapy simplifies the contextual therapy model yet stays with the premises that clients need to understand the depth and breadth of their pain. Each chapter contains realistic examples of family problems, typical of today's families—many drawn from actual practice, which shows one how that particular model addresses issues that are commonly faced by practicing marriage and family therapists. To encourage the reader further, there are extensive interviews with many of the gurus responsible for creating and honing the theories one will read about in this book. They shared their ideas on how change occurs, how they set goals, and how they actually do therapy. Additionally, a case study is presented to each master therapist within these pages.