A Solution Focused State of Mind

Many people believe that focusing on a problem is the only way to discover the underlying trigger or belief that elicits the self-defeating or unwanted behaviour. For the most part, they aren’t wrong, as most modern psycho-therapeutic interventions are based on this framework, and they can do wonders. But (Yes, here comes the but) what if I were to tell you one can rejoice on the fruit of change without having to even delve into the problem? I know what you may be thinking right about now. “Slam the brakes, Shankul, a solution without talking about the problem? What sorcery is this?”, to which I’d normally say – “What if I told you the solution has nothing to do with the problem?”

Enter: Solution Focused Brief Therapy, developed by Steve De Shazer (1940-2005) and Insoo Kim Berg (1934-2007) during the 1970s. Now, let's get one thing straight off the bat, ‘Solution’ in this context refers to the clients preferred future where the outcomes of the solution are given more importance than the solution in itself. Facilitating the client to visualize their preferred outcomes instils a strong sense of hope. Hope is the driving force of change, only if the nature of the change is realistic and specific. Some people may chuckle upon hearing that word by saying – “Hope? Sure man. I hope to be Superman one day. Is that possible?” To which I answer, “Only if you’d want to be Clark Kent working in a Newspaper Firm.”

In theory, Solution Focused Brief Therapy catapults the client to think in a solution-centric manner as opposed to thinking in a problem-centric one by visualizing themselves in a scenario where the pathology is no longer present, followed by formulating what they would need to do to reach the stage where their pathology is no longer persistent. To do this, the client must focus on the presence of desirability and not just on the absence of the pathology. Meaning to focus on a positive aspect in the place of the negative one.

At this point, some of you may be thinking – “Sounds hunky-dory, Shankul. But how is this done?”, at which point I’d put my virtual hand on your virtual shoulder and whisper gently -“The questions, my friend. The questions.”.

Solution-focused Brief Therapy uses Linguistics as a tool for eliciting effective responses that in turn trigger client change. For example, using ‘Suppose’ in conversations allows the client’s thoughts to be propelled to the future, where they conceptualize a reality that has not occurred yet. In other words, allowing the client to be mindful about an event that has not occurred yet. Neurologically, this stimulates Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to restructure itself, giving rise to new synaptic connections and is regarded as inevitable in ‘SFBT’ (De Shazer, 1985)

In addition to this, when a client responds to a solution-centric question as opposed to a problem-centric question, the area of brain stimulation changes from the hippocampus (since they are retrieving information about the problem from memory) to the Pre-Frontal Cortex (responsible for problem-solving, decision making, critical thinking). Thus, this cognitive pivot is the root cause of change-eliciting responses.

All this aside, the very essence of Solution Focused Brief Therapy lies in the client’s best hopes and to kindle that hope into the driving force needed to propel them to their preferred outcomes that is congruent with their desired selves.

Thus, this approach needn’t be limited to the field of therapy but can be consciously incorporated into our lives, as the essence of SFBT is the very same essence of what makes us human.