Leading From Behind: Episode 9 - Scaling Questions in First Sessions

Scaling questions are a unique and essential element of solution focused practice.  In this episode of Leading From Behind, we examine some of the ways that these questions are useful in first sessions.

In particular, we look at the most common scaling question asked in solution focused therapy:  An invitation to clients to describe where they see themselves in relationship to their preferred futures. We also underscore how this particular scaling question sets the stage for two key follow-up questions.  The first invites the client to describe how she has come to choose this particular number and why it's not lower.  The second invites the client to describe the next small sign of change or, in other words, how she'll know that she's moving up on this scale in some small, yet meaningful way.

As part of the discussion about scaling questions, we also examine how they're used to understand the client's energy for change, as a means of gauging confidence and,  how they can be useful in recognizing risk of harm to self or others.  We also highlight how a scaling question can be combined with a relationship question, in further highlighting the client's expertise about her own life.

In the resource segment of this episode, we highlight the following:

• he recent creation of the Australasian Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association (AASFBT), its upcoming first conference and plans for the creation of the Journal of Solution Focused Brief Therapy
• An early reminder about the next Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association's upcoming annual conference to be held in Toronto, Canada from November 6-11, 2013

Leading From Behind: Episode 8 - Exploring Exceptions in First Sessions

n this episode of Leading From Behind, we take a closer look at one of the key elements of the solution focused approach.  In the first session, and after a full exploration of the client's preferred future, the solution focused practitioner asks about exceptions - moments or times when even small parts of the preferred future already occur.

In the resource section of the program, we identify two books on solution focused practice that have certainly stood the test of time:

• Becoming Solution Focused in Brief Therapy by John Walter and Jane Peller
• Working With the Problem Drinker: A Solution Focused Approach by Insoo Kim Berg and Scott Miller

Leading From Behind: Episode 7 - Exploring the Client's Preferred Future (Part 2)

​In Episode 7 of Leading From Behind​, we continue our exploration of the questions and skills used in exploring the details of the client's responses to the Miracle Question.  We also examine the use of relationship questions to expand the client's description of the preferred future.

During the resource section of the podcast, we provide two sources of information pertaining to outcome research on the effectiveness of solution focused therapy.​

Links mentioned in the podcast:​

Dr. Alasdair Macdonald

Wally Gingerich

Leading From Behind: Episode 6 - First Sessions: Exploring Preferred Future (Part 1)

The exploration of the client's preferred future is a central part of a first session in solution focused therapy.  In Episode 6 of Leading From Behind, we begin our examination of the questions, skills and techniques used by the therapist during this key portion of the session.

In particular, we outline how the Miracle Question sets the stage for this conversation. More important, we look closely at the key follow-up questions that invite the client to describe a preferred future that's specific, achievable, behavioural and reflects the presence of something, rather the absence.  We describe how the deconstruction of language during the conversation enables such descriptions.  We also note the importance of amplifying the client's descriptive responses as part of the solution building process.  Finally, we identify some useful ways of responding to the understandable "I don't know" replies often encountered during this part of the session.

Finally, in our resource segment, we highlight Yvonne Dolan's significant contributions to the practice and development of solution focused therapy.  Her books noted in the podcast are listed below:

• Resolving Sexual Abuse (1991)
• One Small Step: Moving Beyond Trauma & Therapy to a Life of Joy (2000)
• Tales of Solutions:  A Collection of Hope Inspiring Stories - co-authored with Insoo Kim Berg (2001)
• Solution Focused Brief Therapy: Its Effective Use in Agency Settings, published in 2003 and co-authored with Teri Pichot
• More Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (see Episode 4 for link)

Leading From Behind: Episode 5 - First Sessions: Getting Started

In Episode 5 of Leading From Behind, we examine the conversation that takes place in the first session of solution focused therapy, up to the point before we shift into questions about the client's preferred future. 

A "role-play" case example is used to demonstrate some of the questions and skills used during this portion of a first session.  In particular, we look at how to find out about the client's best hopes from the conversation, the use of coping questions and indirect compliments.  Finally, we underline the importance of asking about pre-session change.

The resource segment of the podcast provides the following web links:

European Brief Therapy Association Network Site

Elliot Connie:

• Solution Building in Couples Therapy by Elliot Connie
• The Art of Solution Focused Therapy edited by Elliot Connie & Linda Metcalf
• The Connie Institute

International Journal of Solution-Focused Practices