John Murphy

Solution-Focused Therapy

This book captures solution-focused therapy's essence, which distinguishes it from problem-focused approaches that have dominated the psychotherapy profession for over a century. What do therapists and clients talk about when therapy is effective? The development of solution-focused therapy (SFT) has been guided by the ongoing effort to answer this question. Solution-focused therapy is a collaborative approach that invites clients to describe what they want from therapy and apply the knowledge and skills they already have toward achieving it in the shortest time possible. The three main tasks of solution-focused therapy include setting a direction based on what the client wants from therapy, building on exceptions and other resources that are already happening and available in the client's life, and exploring progress toward desired outcomes. The three main techniques of SFT are asking, listening, and amplifying. When practicing purely solution-focused therapy, the therapist does little outside of these activities. Solution-focused principles and practices reflect the core values, ethical codes, and practice standards of professional associations and licensing boards in psychology, counseling, social work, and other helping professions. SFT has proven useful with persons from a variety of cultures and contexts, and on an array of concerns including trauma, substance misuse, and suicide prevention. It is well suited to the time constraints, third-party requirements, and other practical realities facing today's therapists and clients.