Solution Focused Approach: An Overview
Solution focused caoching is a positive, strength-based brief way of coaching which is focused on client exceptions to problems.
Clients are considered the experts of their lives and thus, their problems (DeJong & Berg, 1998). The coachs role in the solution focused process is to continually encourage clients to explore what they want different in their lives (goals) and what resources and strengths they can bring to help make the goals reality (Berg & DeJong, 1996). The Coach is then charged with amplifying and affirming past successes, strengths, and abilities as they emerge in the coaching sessions.
The solution-building approach was developed by Steve deShazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their colleagues by observation of interviews and paying attention to what works in the coaching process (DeJong & Berg, 1998). Their transformation as therapists began in the mid 1970’s as they installed a one-way mirror in their agency in an attempt to gain insight of what activities helped clients the most.
Two of the strength areas of solution focused coaching include the development of appropriately designed goals and the use of exceptions in developing solutions (DeJong & Berg, 1998). Well formed goals are often formulated through use of the Miracle Question (DeJong & Berg, 1998). This type of question helps identify small, concrete ways to begin something different. The Miracle Question is often asked by saying, “Suppose you went home to sleep tonight and awoke the next morning to find that a miracle had happened. The miracle is that what brought you here today was solved. What is the first thing you would notice? Who would be the first person to notice that something was different?” The miracle question serves two main purposes (DeJong & Berg, 1998). First, the client gets an opportunity to think about the unlimited possibilities a miracle would afford. Secondly, it helps move the focus to the future, when a more satisfying life is possible, and removes the focus from the current and past problems. DeJong and Berg (1998) have found that miracle types of questions create much thought and effort by the client as they work to answer them. It is not uncommon for clients to become openly encouraged when responding to these questions. Sometimes when working with young children, it is useful to present the miracle question using terms such as a magic wand, etc.
The other strength area of solution focused coaching is exploring exceptions (DeJong & Berg, 1998). DeJong and Berg (1998) describe exceptions as “those occasions in clients’ lives when their problems could have occurred but did not – or at least were less severe.” When examining exceptions, a focus is usually placed on the who, what, when and where of exception times rather than focus on problems. Clients are often questioned about what and how they did it when things were different (DeJong & Berg, 1998). DeJong and Berg (1998) strongly recommend asking for details after an exception is discovered. For example, “What was different about the last day you felt good?” As exceptions are discovered, basic listening skills such as paraphrasing and summarizing are emphasized. Clients are observed smiling more often, sitting up straighter, and appear to work harder when they are able to identify exceptions (DeJong & Berg, 1998).
As exceptions are identified, strengths are also uncovered (DeJong & Berg, 1998). By uncovering strengths and abilities, the coach is allowed to paraphrase and reframe this information as a compliment to the client. Davis and Osborn (2000) believe that counselors pay respect to their clients when they purposefully observe, find, and commend them on their strengths and true abilities.
One technique very useful within the solution focused approach is that of scaling questions. In fact, Miller (1997) describes these questions as “the work horses of solution-focused therapy because they are frequently asked . . . to achieve a variety of therapeutic ends” (p. 12). A scaling question may be asked such as “On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the pits and 10 being good enough, how would you say gym class went today?” Davis and Osborne (2000) believe that scaling question are especially useful because they:
1. quantify thoughts, motivation, attitudes to aid client and coach understanding.
2. aid the client in their ability to explain challenging attitudes and feelings.
3. help define the steps important to reaching goals as well as clarifying the actual goals.
4. assess progress and what needs to happen for progress to continue.
5. develop an awareness that change is happening and a hopeful awareness that problems are subsiding
6. aid in relationship assessment; for example, students can be asked about how family members would answer the question so that a comparison is possible.
In closing, the solution focused approach may be best summed up by Berg and Miller (1992) who cited three guidelines as part of solution focused counseling’s “central philosophy:
1. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”;
2. “Once you know what works, do more of it”; and
3. “If it doesn’t work, don’t do it again. Do something different.”
