Human Problem And Appropriate Framework

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

of the most vulnerable and excluded groups in society. The adequate assessment of

human problem and appropriate framework are significantly important in terms of

guiding individuals and families towards solutions, also act as guidelines for

practitioners in real practice. Hypothetically, individuals and families bring

personality, beliefs and expectations with them into the session; indicate that everyone

in society is different and unique. In this essay, Solution Focused Therapy will be

explored and discussed regarding the core concepts and interventions, using case

scenario one to effectively illustrate the framework. Also, reflecting on advantages

and limitations of the approach, and integrate other relevant frameworks to enhance

practice in relation to the client in case scenario one.

! Solution Focused Therapy or SFT is a ‘solution-oriented’ approach developed

by de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg and associates during their work at Brief Family

Therapy Centre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Hepworth, D., Rooney, R., Rooney, G., &

Strom-Gottfried, K., 2013). It is a form of brief therapy with a unique focus on

solutions and the strengths a client possesses, rather than the presenting problems

(Hepworth, D., Rooney, R. et al. 2013 ; Coady, N & Lehmann, P. 2001). SFT believes

that there are exceptions in every problems as positive influence (strength) will assist

in promote change within individuals and lead them to solutions (Corey, G. 2005 cited

in Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors, 2007). On principle, SFT assumes

that people are resilient with both personality strengths and behavioural abilities. With

these character traits, one can master their own problems as suggested by Corcoran

(2001) that ‘clients are having the necessary strengths and capacities to solve their

own problems‘(Corcoran, J. cited in Coady, N & Lehmann, P. 2001). In other words,

changes and solutions are determined, and significantly driven by clients while the

role of practitioner is to assist the client in moving towards the set goal (O’Connell, B.

2012).

! The core concept of SFT is the continuous focus on ‘solution talk’ which

emphasise goals and exceptions to reduce or solve problems (James, K. 2013;

SOCW 3002

Peerada CHOMSUWAN

(z3374827)

1

Hepworth, D., Rooney, R. et al. 2013). Another distinctive feature of SFT is that it

does not value the connection between the problem and the solution, instead it aims to

empower clients to think and act differently towards the problem (James, K. 2013). In

terms of intervention, SFT starts with engaging the client inviting him or her to give

an account of the problem (Hepworth, D., Rooney, R. et al. 2013). Next, is to explore

times when problem was fewer or less severe using ‘exception questions’ – were there

a time when you were not …. ? From here, ‘coping questions’ and scaling (1-10)

questions can be introduced to further explore client’s strengths and coping abilities.

Questions include ‘How did you get from four to five? and ‘Were there times when you

felt less depressed?‘ (Hepworth, D., Rooney, R. et al. 2013). Once the working

relationship has been established, practitioner can work towards ‘goals developing’ by

asking future-oriented questions such as ‘what would you like to be different? or ‘how

would your life be different if this problem went away?’ (James, K. 2013; Hepworth,

D., Rooney, R. et al. 2013 ; MIller, L. 2012). Additionally, to elicit more details about

change and the client’s desired outcome, ‘miracle question’ is applied to draw

attention about what could be different if the client reaches the goals (Hepworth, D.,

Rooney, R. et al. 2013). Once the goal has been established, ongoing monitoring

should be carried out until client meets their desired outcomes (Hepworth, D.,

Rooney, R. et al. 2013; MIller, L. 2012). Note that ending of SFT is usually introduced

during the beginning of working relationship due to the nature of the approach

(Miller, L. 2012).

! In case scenario one, the presenting client, June, is a 40 year old female who

was referred to the social worker by her local general practitioner (GP). June was

diagnosed with depression and was prescribed anti-depressants. June lives with her

husband and their three children in a nearby town after they lost the property as a

result of a drought. According to the given information, June is feeling anxious and

depressed. Her mother passed away three years ago due to cancer which has impacted

on her emotional well-being, causing June to feel her death was untimely. Recently,

June and her husband, Martin, have argued about the differences in their parenting

styles and Martin’s drinking habit which might be compounded by the loss of their

property. Arguably, causing Martin a lot of stress and influenced him to act out a form

SOCW 3002

Peerada CHOMSUWAN

(z3374827)

2

of domestic violence by pushing June, which she stated as ‘out of character’. June is

also concerned about her anger towards the children when they fight, assumably

worried that her anger would have impacted on them. Moreso, with a sense of

insecurity, June is unable to confide in her friends, fearing they would see her and

Martin as ‘failures’.

Applying a SFT approach, the practitioner will be able to assist and offer June

interventions that would enable her to deconstruct her own personal account of the

problems. In June’s case, there are actually several aspects that could be reconstruct

using SFT framework, for example the beliefs about herself related to her mother who

passed away which is not caused by some biological or genetic tendency but her own

perception and understanding. SFT approach also allows June to explore the

possibility and seek solutions that could improve her quality of life and stabilise her

emotional well-being, which in this case is her feeling stress and presented with

‘depression‘ diagnosis by GP. Bill (2007) stated that SFT has a strong commitment to

the concept of empowerment and inherent goodness, hence the use of SFT approach

will unfold ways to explore June’s strengths and the positive influence in her life that

has been overlooked insensibly (O’Connell, B. cited in Dryden, W. 2007).

! In practice, June’s first session with the practitioner is critically important in

terms of establishing working relationship. Once a good rapport has been established,

the practitioner can start exploring about June by inviting her to give a description of

the problem. At this stage, the practitioner must refrain from eliciting details and

mainly look for ways to guide June towards solution (James, K. 2013; Hepworth, D.,

Rooney, R. et al. 2013; Degges, S. White & Davis, Nancy L. 2011). Question

regarding desired outcomes should be posted at this stage to determine the client’s

best interest.

Social worker: ‘What would you like to see different as a result of seeing me today?’

As June explicitly provides an account of her story and also shares what she

wants to get from the session, which could be ‘to feel better about herself and to

SOCW 3002

Peerada CHOMSUWAN

(z3374827)

3

maintain good relationship with Martin and children’. The practitioner can choose to

focus on one or two issues, rather than trying to work on everything that has been

mentioned because this could cause confusion and overwhelmed June.

Social worker: "Were there times when you were less depressed?

June: "Yes...when I am working. I have a part-time job at a pharmacy. It makes me

feel worthy .... earning money for my family. There is a lot going on since we lost the

property six months ago....."

Notice that June has spoken about her strength ‘It makes me feel worthy’.

From this, the practitioner will not go into details about an origin of her job but will

keep persisting on positive influence June get from that particular job.

Social worker: "Responsibility and role seem to be big things for you. Were there

other times when you feel ‘worthy’ apart from when you are at work ?

June: (silence) I guess when we are having breakfast together ? It is a new day,

everyone’s mind still fresh and there were no complications. I talk to the children and

they response with good manner. I was not whining and Martin was not grumpy..."

The practitioner will purposely lead June to talk about positive aspects of her

life, letting her be an expert of the problem (Hepworth, D., Rooney, R. et al. 2013). At

this point, June’s focus is not fixated to the depression but on the positive changes that

can be done to achieve her desired outcomes. Note that the scaling question regarding

her depression level may not be appropriated to apply once the practitioner begins to

explore June’s positive influence. However, the practitioner could use scaling

question to monitor June’s progress regarding her desired outcomes.

Social worker: "How will you know when things are getting better? What would be

the first sign for you?"

Goal is determined when the practitioner has explored enough of the client’s

desired outcomes (Miller, L. 2012). June has told the practitioner about the

SOCW 3002

Peerada CHOMSUWAN

(z3374827)

4

‘exceptions’ and provided sufficient details about her coping ability which indicate

that specific goals can be agreed upon. The practitioner should promptly clarify the

desired outcomes which June had said earlier in the session and ask questions to assist

June to meet that goals

Social worker: "How will you know when things are getting better? What would be

the first sign for you?"

! So, in order to have a good relationship with the children, June may respond

with the idea of improving and adjusting one’s self behaviour - ‘I would speak in a

softer tone with the children and praise them more often when they do something

right.‘ The response shows that June is willing to work on things towards her own set

goals, thus the role of practitioner is to assist and monitoring June’s progress in future

sessions. Ultimately, when June is able to taking control over her problems, the

contact is terminated.

! From above, we can say that SFT is strongly focus on reconstructing the

problem by drawing on client’s strengths and move away from antecedent (Hepworth,

D., Rooney, R. et al. 2013). O’Connell (2012) highlights that SFT rely on the power of

language and the use of questions as the practitioner must be an expert in keeping the

client on the positive outcomes or solution-focused frame (O’Connell, B. 2012).

Significantly, SFT is considered as easy to practice as there is no real connection

between the problem and solution as the practitioner is simply working on ‘what is

already there‘ in the client’s life (O’Connell, B. cited in Dryden, W. 2007). Another

advantages of SFT is that it helps setting realistic goals hence the goals are

achievable. Apart from those being mentioned, the strongest and most distinctive

advantage of this approach could be the fact that it sees every problem as changeable

and transient. SFT perceives problem in a positive way and emphasise on ‘what

works’ and not what may be ‘wrong’ (O’Connell, B. cited in Dryden, W. 2007). In

relation to the client, SFT tries to find the solution that best fit the client, taking small

steps and working collaboratively in a non-judgemental relationship (O’Connell, B.

2012; O’Connell, B. cited in Dryden, W. 2007).

SOCW 3002

Peerada CHOMSUWAN

(z3374827)

5

! Nevertheless, the nature of SFT can produce dilemmas for those who focus on

the theoretical assessment to find out the ‘why’ or seek casual explanation (Miller, L.

2012). The approach mainly focuses on the solution, assuming that people have

strengths to overcome all of their difficulties. In fact, there are barriers, as lack of

resources and other sophisticated reasons that prevent people from achieve miracle or

meet solutions (Hepworth, D., Rooney, R. et al. 2013). Insufficiently provide empathy

towards the client and often deny the complexity of the problem as only create ‘happy

talk’ which holds the client from expressing real feeling (James, K. 2013). SFT

focuses on moving forward which in result makes it a less adequate therapy in

addressing safety issues such as domestic violence (James, K. 2013). To enhance SFT

due to its limitations and in regards to June, the practitioner could implement a Task-

Centred approach which focuses on breaking down the problems into small tasks that

the client can accomplish (Miller, L.; Hepworth, D., Rooney, R. et al. 2013). To make

June reaches her goals faster, the practitioner could give her tasks to bring about

positive change and overcome difficulties that may unexpectedly arise. Tasks may

include ‘spending more time with children’, ‘be more patience when things go wrong‘

and ‘try staying away when Martin is drunk’. The other framework that could be

applied with June is ‘Systematic Family Therapy‘ which emphasised the

interconnection of all parts of a family system (Miller, L. 2012; Hepworth, D.,

Rooney, R. et al. 2013). The application of this approach would allow June to think

about boundaries with her children, hierarchy and expected roles in the family as the

approach is able to provide an insight of how the family dynamic might have caused

or related to the presenting problems (Miller, L. 2012).

In conclusion, Solution Focused-Therapy or SFT is an approach that draws on

people’s strengths and competency to overcome problems. It is future-oriented,

meaning it focuses on possibility, rather than the problems. The approach replies on

communication skills in asking questions and attentively eliciting client’s positive

influences to construct a new perspective of the problem. Although SFT has many

outstanding advantages, the approach still receives many critics and cannot claim to

do everything. In relation to case scenario one, SFT may be helpful in finding

SOCW 3002

Peerada CHOMSUWAN

(z3374827)

6

solutions for June and her presented problems, but there are still aspects that have not

been properly addressed and further explore due to limitations of the approach.

SOCW 3002

Peerada CHOMSUWAN

(z3374827)

7