1st Edition
Opportunities in Solution-Focused Interviewing Clients’ Key Words and Therapists’ Responses
Written by the developers of the microanalysis of opportunities approach, this book describes how clinicians can use this model when listening and responding to clients in solution-focused therapy, training, coaching, and supervision.
Joel K. Simon and Lance Taylor begin by reviewing the evolution, philosophical foundations, and intervention tools of solution-focused brief therapy, sharing how their practice has evolved over time from their clinical experience with clients, trainees, supervisees, and colleagues. Moving from theory to practice, the book then explores microanalysis of opportunities, beginning with how the authors developed the approach and created the process. Replete with actual examples of conversations between clients and therapists, and between trainer and trainee, the book demonstrates how the model can be applied in practice with analyses and discussions about analyzed material throughout. It displays the application of the approach to coaching, supervision, and training.
This valuable book will not only be useful to therapists new to solution-focused brief therapy, but also to those who are experienced solution-focused practitioners. Psychotherapists, clinical social workers, counselors, and other mental health professionals will find this an illuminating read.
Introduction 1. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Foundations 2. Building Convergent Narratives 3. Tools and Maps for Solution-Focused Brief Therapy 4. Microanalysis and Opportunities 5. Microanalysis of Opportunities: Opportunities Analysis Example One 6. Microanalysis of Opportunities: Opportunities Analysis Example Two 7. Applications: Opportunities as a Supervision Tool 8. Applications: Opportunities as a Training Tool 9. Applications: Opportunities as a Coaching Tool 10. It’s your turn
Biography
Joel K. Simon has been in clinical social work practice for over 40 years in a variety of both inpatient and outpatient settings. He has been a solution-focused practitioner, trainer, presenter, and consultant since 1992. He is a founding member of the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association.
Lance Taylor, MSc, RPsych, in a career spanning 53 years, has worked as a therapist, clinical supervisor, trainer, manager and mentor in community mental health and private psychology practice. He trained with the originators of the model, was a founding member and served as president of the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association in North America.
"Simon and Taylor present a useful and grounding book on discerning multiple opportunities in solution-building conversations with clients, as well as multiple possibilities and rationale for solution-building responses to those opportunities. I especially appreciated the ample examples of microanalysis in action that can inform and improve one’s own work in solution-building."
Dr. Thorana Nelson, PhD, Professor Emerita Utah State University
"One big question is, 'From all the things that people say in therapy, how do therapists select what to build on?' Another important question, at least for someone who wants to get better at what they do, is 'What other opportunities were there?' If you have the slightest interest in any of these questions, read this book."
Harry Korman MD, SIKT, Malmö, Sweden
"What a brilliant elaboration of Solution-Focused Therapy in our current pedagogical context where it is indeed our ethical imperative to be reflective of our own work! As an educator in this field, I have found their original exercise 'opportunities' to be particularly useful in class, and have observed a tangible difference in learner progress as a result. The 'opportunities' exercise is just one example of the practical techniques presented in this book, which highlight the authors' expertise in bridging the gap between theory and practice, history and current elaborations, and practice and pedagogy. The ability to provide real-world examples of how these techniques can be incorporated into one's practice and supervision is highly useful, and allows learners to see how these concepts can be applied in a range of settings and contexts.
I believe the book would be valuable for learners at all levels, as it provides a useful tool regardless of their experience level. The emphasis on reflection, dialogue, and ongoing learning and growth is crucial for developing one's craft and perhaps increasing the likelihood of having more useful conversations with our clients."Haesun Moon, PhD, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Brief Coaching
