Solution Focused Tips

As a Solution Focused practitioner, I believe that everyone I see is uniquely competent and has the capability to work out their own solutions. I aim to have helpful conversations with people to that end, and I do not assess, diagnose or pathologise people, I am more interested in what is working, what has worked, and what might work in the future. This 'philosophy' is equally applicable to; individuals, groups, customers of training & consultancy and supervision.

 

Tip 1       Keep it simple

Tip 2       Try using the word ‘And’ instead of ‘But’ i.e.:

 

“So you have all this going on, and you still managed to get here” This is a statement of affirmation to the person you are seeing where as:

“So you have all this going on, but you still managed to get here”

This is a negation or belittling of the persons difficulties

 

Tip 3       Ask yourself ‘What is the goal of the person I am seeing, and ensure it is a preferred future, not an escape from a problem present or past’ i.e.:

 

“I don’t want to use drugs anymore” is not a ‘goal’ in itself, what they will be doing instead is the goal such as; “I Would like a job/get on with my family/go to college”

 

Tip 4      Think about how the person you are seeing, and people around them will notice things getting better, what will the signs of that be?

 

Tip 5      Remember to find out how people have coped and managed in the past and/or present, it will give you clues as to how they may continue to cope and manage, now and in the future; what are their uniques skills and strategies, what works, who are their sources of support, and how do they and others know when they are coping or managing well, what are the signs of that?

 

Finally:

Never, never be afraid to give praise and compliments.