Practice techniques

Abstract

Solution talk routinely uses key techniques but does not do so in a routine way. The techniques evolved from a close study of what works and they fit with the philosophy and principles outlined in the previous chapter. They continue being developed in various creative ways by those practising brief counselling. We do not suggest that the techniques necessarily be used in the order set out in this chapter; indeed in most practice they are intertwined, mixed, repeated and varied according to the preference of the counsellor and their evaluation of what fits best with how the client is working. Before we begin we repeat that the approach has a non-pathological stance; that is, we assign no pathological significance to people’s problems nor define them as deficits, maintaining a focus on preferred futures. The aim is to be practical and parsimonious, being aware of what one does not need to do. The solution-focused approach has particularly been described as minimalist in that it only does what is essential in drawing solutions from the client. When observed it looks easy and sounds simple but it is neither; requiring great discipline to refrain from doing what is unnecessary and from ideas of pathology.