What is the solution focused approach?

The solution focused approach is a respectful change approach. It works with the perspective of the client and acknowledges that the solutions to the problem have to fit with the unique and specific circumstances of the client. The approach acknowledges the perception that a problem exists, without analysing its causes or history. Instead, the approach explores what the desired future looks like for the client. The approach defines this desired future in concrete and positive terms, using vivid language. By analysing previous successes and positive exceptions to the problem in the past, solutions are build that suit the specific context and situation. This analysis of what works is then used to reach the desired future step by step.

In comparison to change methods which use problem solving techniques, the solution focused approach is somewhat different. In traditional problem solving, problems are being analysed by looking at the causes of the problem and the history of the problem. When did the problem start? Why did the problem evolve? Who did what to contribute to the current problem? Who is to blame? Quite often this analysis of the problem causes the problem to grow into a bigger problem. More and more causes of the problem are being found and problematic side-effects of the problem are being triggered. Lots of time and attention goes to what is wrong and broken, leading to feelings of fear and despair.

The solution focused approach is subtly different, with great effect. A lot of the things that define the problem solving methods are being discarded in the solution focused approach. There is no problem analysis, no problem diagnoses, and no overview of the causes of the problem, no overview of the history of the problem or of the problematic side-effects of the problem and there is no labelling of the sort of problem the problem is.

So, if all of this has no place in the solution focused approach, how does the solution focused approach handle problems? Is it allowed to talk about problems in this approach? Yes, the solution focused approach regards problems as good starting points for positive change. When there is a problem, the solution focused approach asks WHAT the problem is and HOW the problem bothers the client. By doing this, the client experiences that the problem is within his own circle of influence and this often helps to reduce the problem to manageable proportions.

Even though problems can be a good starting point for positive change, problems are not necessary to start achieving a desired future. Sometimes the solution focused approach is used in problem-free circumstances. The approach then directly asks about the desired future. What does the desired future look like? How would the client like things to become? A tangible, positive image of the desired future is being build, using vivid, result oriented language. Instead of analysing the gap between the desired future and the current situation, the solution focused approach analyses what works well and what has been achieved already. By doing so, the client becomes aware of everything that works well and how this helps to achieve the desired future.

This positive path is being strengthened by analysing when the desired future has already occurred, even a little bit. What was happening then? How was that achieved? What worked well then? The positive path is also being deepened by asking when the problem didn’t occur and what happened differently then. By exploring these positive paths, the client obtains information as to how success in the past happened and this raises the hope that positive change is possible.

Since the client has summarised what has been achieved already and what worked well in the past, he gets more and more ideas regarding what he can do to make the desired future happen. A bridge is being build between success in the past and success in the future. The positive and hopeful mood that the client has now obtained, helps to take small steps to improvement. These small steps have a motivating effect and give instant feedback whether or not they are the right steps for the client.