Mastering Solution-Focused Counseling

Author Content Session
Friday, March 28, 2014
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
American Counseling Association
2014 Annual Conference
Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii Convention Center
The PowerPoint for this Author Content Session is available at http://JeffreyGuterman.com

Mastering the Art of Solution-Focused Counseling 2
Contents
About the Presenter ................................................................................................................. 3
Additional Events by Presenter ............................................................................................... 3
Selected Publications by Presenter ......................................................................................... 4
Author Content Session Description ....................................................................................... 5
Author Content Session Objectives ........................................................................................ 5
Formula First Session Task ..................................................................................................... 5
Principles of Solution-Focused Counseling ............................................................................ 5
Implications of a Postmodern Position ................................................................................... 6
Problem and Exception ........................................................................................................... 6
Theory of Change ................................................................................................................... 6
Common Change Factors ........................................................................................................ 7
Stages of Solution-Focused Counseling ................................................................................. 7
S.M.A.R.T. GOALS ............................................................................................................... 7
Identifying Exceptions ............................................................................................................ 8
Questions for Amplifying Exceptions .................................................................................... 8
Solution-Focused Tasks .......................................................................................................... 9
Scaling Form ......................................................................................................................... 10
References and Suggested Readings ..................................................................................... 11
Suggested Internet Resources ............................................................................................... 13

About the Presenter
Jeffrey T. Guterman, Ph.D. is a mental health counselor in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is
author of over 125 publications. The first edition of his book Mastering the Art of Solution-
Focused Counseling was published by the American Counseling Association (ACA) in 2006,
it was translated in Korean in 2007, and an updated and expanded second edition was
published by ACA in 2013. He has presented numerous workshops on solution-focused
counseling.
Contact Information
Email: jguterman@gmail.com
Phone: 305-725-4583
Web: http://JeffreyGuterman.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeffreyGuterman
–
Jeffrey T. Guterman, Ph.D. is available to provide training and workshops for your
organization on various topics. Program topics and formats will be tailored to meet the needs
of your organization.
Additional Events by the Presenter at the
2014 ACA Conference and Expo
ACA Author Book Signing
Book Signing: Mastering the Art of Solution-Focused Counseling (2nd
Edition)
by Jeffrey T. Guterman
Date: Friday March 28, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hawaii Convention Center, ACA Bookstore
Enhancing the Therapeutic Alliance with Youth Clients
Presenters: Clayton V. Martin, M.S., Jeffrey T. Guterman, Ph.D.
Format: Education Session (60-Minute)
Program ID # 272
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2014
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hawaii Convention Center, Room 316C

Selected Publications by Presenter
de Castro, S., & Guterman, J.T. (2008). Solution-focused therapy for families coping with
suicide. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 34, 93-106.
Guterman, J.T. (1994). A social constructionist position for mental health counseling.
Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 16, 226-244.
Guterman, J.T. (1996a). Farewell to families: Language systems in the postmodern era. The
Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 4, 139-142.
Guterman, J.T. (1996b). Doing mental health counseling: A social constructionist re-vision.
Guterman, J.T. (1996c). Reconstructing social constructionism: A reply to Albert Ellis.
Guterman, J.T. (1996d). Tales of mental health counseling. Journal of Mental Health
Counseling, 18, 300-306.
Guterman, J.T. (1998). Identifying pretreatment change before the first session. Journal of
Mental Health Counseling, 20, 370-374.
Guterman, J.T. (2013). Mastering the art of solution-focused counseling (2nd
ed.).
Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Guterman, J.T., & Leite, N. (2006). Solution-focused counseling for clients with religious
and spiritual concerns. Counseling and Values, 51, 39-52.
Guterman, J. T., Martin, C.V., & Kopp, D.M. (2012). Science and humanities: A necessary
unity for the counseling profession. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, 51, 145-154.
Guterman, J.T., Mecias, A., Ainbinder, D.L. (2005). Solution-focused treatment of migraine
headache. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families,
13, 195-198.
Guterman, J.T., & Schildbach, J. (in press). The stigma of mental illness and the noble
savage. Counseling Today.
Martin, C.V., Guterman, J.T., & Kopp, D.M. (2012). Extending the dialogue about science
and humanities: A reply to Hansen. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, 51, 161-163.
Martin, C.V., Guterman, J. T., & & Shatz, K. (2012). Solution-focused counseling for eating
disorders. VISTAS, 1-11.

Author Content Session Description
Based on the updated and expanded book, Mastering the Art of Solution-Focused
Counseling, this presentation describes a highly effective model that helps clients build on
their existing resources, strengths, and problem-solving skills. If these resources—called
exceptions—are identified and amplified, then problem resolution can be brought about in an
effective and efficient manner. The author describes the theory and stages of solution-
focused counseling and provides practical examples to illustrate this innovative approach.
Author Content Session Objectives
1. Identify the theory of solution-focused counseling.
2. Identify the stages of solution-focused counseling.
3. Identify techniques used in solution-focused counseling.
4. Identify clinical applications of solution-focused counseling.
Formula First Session Task
Between now and next time we meet, I want you to observe so that you can tell me next time,
what happens in your life that you want to continue to have happen (cf. Molnar & de Shazer,
1987).
Principles of Solution-Focused Counseling
 Solution-focus
 Collaborative approach
 Small changes can lead to big results
 Emphasis on process
 Strategic eclecticism
 Brief by design, but not always
 Responsiveness to diversity

Implications of a Postmodern Position
for Solution-Focused Counseling
 Clinical reality as a social construction rather than an objective reflection of reality.
 Counselors as participant-observers rather than independent of clients and problems.
 A perspective that understands language as the distinction of treatment concern rather
than human systems as the locus of problems.
 A collaborative approach and an emphasis on cooperating rather than a perspective
that views clients’ oppositions to change as resistance.
Problem and Exception
 Problem:
o Subjective and intersubjective complaint
o Problem/Exception: The subjective or intersubjective complaint is subsumed
by the problem/exception formal theory which is used across cases to
conceptualize problems and change
 Exception: “Times when the complaint/problem does not happen even though the
client has reason to expect it happen” (de Shazer, 1991, p. 83).
Theory of Change
Theory of Change: When the problem is the rule, then exceptions tend to remain hidden or
decrease. When exceptions are identified and amplified, the problem tends to decrease.
Exceptions can be amplified by encouraging clients to do more of the behaviors that have led
them to solve the problem in the past, or to observe times when they are dealing better with
the problem, or ascribe significant meaning to the exceptions.

Common Change Factors
Research in the area of common change factors (Lambert, 1992) clearly supports the theory of change
in solution-focused counseling (Guterman, 2013). Lambert identified four common change factors
that contribute most to improvement in counseling and psychotherapy. According to Lambert, each of
these common change factors accounts for the following percentages of improvement that occur in
counseling and psychotherapy:
1. Client factors (or self-help): 40%
2. Client-counselor relationship factors: 30%
3. Expectancy factors: 15%
4. Model factors: 15%
These findings support the theory of solution-focused counseling for two reasons. First, the finding
that client factors account for the most improvement in counseling (40%) affirms solution-focused
counseling’s theory of change. The primary function of a solution-focused counselor is to help clients
tap into their problem-solving resources and potentials. Although a wide variety of techniques are
used in the model (which accounts for 15% improvement based on the research), solution-focused
counseling is to be considered a process model because it attributes change mainly to what the client
does to solve problem rather than to the model. In effect, its focus on client factors is the model. The
second reason that research on common change factors supports solution-focused counseling is
because the model emphasizes the important role of the client-counselor relationship. The finding that
client-counselor factors account for 30% of improvement supports the unique emphasis that solution-
focused counseling places on developing a collaborative relationship between the client and
counselor.
Stages of Solution-Focused Counseling
 Coconstructing problems and goals
 Identifying and amplifying exceptions
 Coconstructing tasks
 Evaluating the effectiveness of tasks
 Reevaluating problems and goals
S.M.A.R.T. Goals
 Specific Goals
 Measurable Goals
 Achievable Goals
 Relevant Goals
 Time-based Goals

Identifying Exceptions
 Presuppositional questions: Ask, “When has there been a time when _____ (the
problem) has not happened?” or “When has _____ (the goal) happened?” rather than,
“Has there been a time?
 Identifying small exceptions
 Identifying potential exceptions
o The miracle question:
Suppose that one night there is a miracle and while you are sleeping the
problem . . . is solved: How would you know? What would be different?
(de Shazer, 1988, p. 5)
Questions for Amplifying Exceptions
 How did you make it happen?
 How is that different from how you have dealt with the problem in the past?
 How did it make your day go differently?
 Who else noticed?
 What did you tell yourself to make it happen?
 What does this say about you and your ability to deal with the problem?
 What are the possibilities?

Solution-Focused Tasks
Task # 1
The client is told and asked, “Between now and the next time, I would like you to observe, so
that you can tell me next time, about those times when you are able to make it (the goal)
happen.”
Rationale: This task is given if the client is able to construct a problem and goal, and
identify and amplify exceptions.
Task # 2
The client is told and asked, “Between now and the next time, I would like you to pay
attention to and make note of what you do when you are able to effectively cope with or deal
with the problem.”
Rationale: This task is given if the client is able to construct a problem and goal and
identify exceptions, but is unable to amplify exceptions.
Task #3
The client is told and asked, “Between now and the next time, I would like you to observe, so
that you can tell me next time, what happens in your life (relationship, family, work
situation) that you want to continue to have happen.”
Rationale: This task is given if the client is able to construct a problem and goal, and
potential exceptions, but is unable to identify exceptions.
Task #4
The client is told and asked, “Try to avoid making any drastic changes. If anything, think
about what you will be doing differently when things are improved.”
Rationale: This task is given if the client is able to construct a problem, but is unable to
construct a goal.
Task #5
The client is told and asked, “The situation is very volatile. Between now and the next time,
attempt to think about why the situation is not worse.”
Rationale: This task is given if the client is in severe crisis.

Scaling Form
Name ________________________Age (Years):____ Sex: M / F
Session # ____ Date: ________________________
Who is filling out this form? Please check one: Self_______ Other_______
If other, what is your relationship to this person? ____________________________
Please rate your progress on the problem and goal for each day on a scale from 0 to 10
with “10” being the least and “0” or “1” being the best. Also, describe what you did to
make the progress in relation to the problem and goal.
Date Rating Describe what you did

References and Suggested Readings
Berg, I.K., & Miller, S.D. (1992). Working with the problem drinker: A solution-focused
approach. New York: Norton.
de Castro, S., & Guterman, J.T. (2008). Solution-focused therapy for families coping with
suicide. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 34, 93-106.
de Shazer, S. (1982). Patterns of brief family therapy. New York: Norton.
de Shazer, S. (1984). The death of resistance. Family Process, 23, 11-17.
de Shazer, S. (1985). Keys to solution in brief therapy. New York: Norton.
de Shazer, S. (1988). Clues: Investigating solutions in brief therapy. New York: Norton.
de Shazer, S. (1991). Putting difference to work. New York: Norton.
de Shazer, S. (1994). Words were originally magic. New York: Norton.
de Shazer, S., Berg, I. K., Lipchik, E., Nunnally, E., Molnar E., Gingerich, K., & Weiner-
Davis, M. (1986). Brief therapy: Focused solution development. Family Process, 25,
207-222.
Duncan. B.L., Miller, S.D., & Sparks, J.A. (2004). The heroic client: A revolutionary way to
improve effectiveness through client-directed, outcome-informed therapy. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Franklin, C., Trepper, T.S., McCollum, E.E., & Gingerich, W.J. (2011). Solution-focused
brief therapy: A handbook of evidence-based practice. New York: Oxford University
Press.
Gergen, K.J. (2009). An invitation to social construction (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage.
Guterman, J. T. (1994). A social constructionist position for mental health counseling.
Guterman, J.T. (1996). Doing mental health counseling: A social constructionist re-vision.
Guterman, J.T. (1998). Identifying pretreatment change before the first session. Journal of
Mental Health Counseling, 20, 370-374.
Guterman, J.T. (2013). Mastering the art of solution-focused counseling (2nd
edition)
Guterman, J.T., & Leite, N. (2006). Solution-focused counseling for clients with religious
and spiritual concerns. Counseling and Values, 51, 39-52.
Guterman, J.T., Mecias, A., Ainbinder, D.L. (2005). Solution-focused treatment of migraine
headache. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families,
13, 195-198.
Held, B.S., (1992). The problem of strategy within the systemic therapies. Journal of Marital
and Family Therapy, 18, 25-35.
Lambert, M.J. (1992). Implications of outcome research for psychotherapy. In J.C. Norcross
M.R. Goldfried (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy integration (pp. 94-129). New
York: Basic Books.
Lipchik, E. (2002). Beyond technique in solution-focused therapy: Working with emotions
and the therapeutic relationship. New York: Guilford.
Martin, C.V., Guterman, J. T., & & Shatz, K. (2012). Solution-focused counseling for eating
disorders. VISTAS, 1-11.

Molnar A., & de Shazer, S. (1987). Solution-focused therapy: Toward the identification of
therapeutic tasks. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 13, 349-358.
Murphy, J.J. (2008). Solution-focused counseling in middle and high schools (2nd
ed.)
O'Hanlon, B., & Rowan, T. (2003). Solution oriented therapy for chronic and severe mental
illness. New York: Norton.
O'Hanlon, W. H., & Weiner-Davis, M. (1989). In search of solutions: A new direction in
psychotherapy. New York: Norton.

Suggested Internet Resources
Jeffrey T. Guterman, Ph.D.
PowerPoint for this Institute is available at http://JeffreyGuterman.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeffreyGuterman
Facebook: http://facebook.com/solutionbook
International Center for Clinical Excellence (ICCE)
http://www.centerforclinicalexcellence.com
Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.
http://www.scottdmiller.com
Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy
http://www.solutionfocused.net
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Association (SFBTA)
http://www.sfbta.org
Kenneth J. Gergen, Ph.D.
http://www.swarthmore.edu/academics/kenneth-j-gergen.xml
The Taos Institute
http://www.taosinstitute.net
The Progress-Focused Approach
http://www.progressfocusedapproach.com

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