Abstract
As our society has changed and progressed through the ages, so has the field of psychology. With the fast pace of living and the higher standards of living the need for more cost effective short term therapy has surfaced. Several of the approaches were accordingly established, of which Solution-Focused Therapy is one of them. However, what makes Solution-Focused Therapy so unique is the specific positivity that exudes from it. It is so geared toward empowering its clients through its particular focus on solution-building that it gives a whole new dimension to the hope it gives its clients.
However, one of my concerns is whether Solution-Focused Therapy, with its specific briefness, is sufficient to facilitate and create change, particularly with young clients who are experiencing emotional problems. Although previous studies done on Solution-Focused Therapy indicates a high success rate, there too have been concerns relating to its effectiveness in appropriately addressing more severe and longstanding emotional problems. It is for this reason that I was interested in investigating what Solution-Focused Therapy was capable of doing in alleviating a young person’s emotional concerns. More specifically, I am searching for an answer to what the experiences are of a young client with emotional problems of Solution-Focused Therapy. The aim is not to investigate the emotional concern but rather on the effectiveness of Solution-Focused Therapy in addressing them. As a result, the client chosen was randomly selected. The only real demarcated criteria rested on the fact that the client had to be a young client who is English speaking and who presented with any given emotional problem.
Due to the fact that the investigation is on an intangible therapeutic intervention, the application of a more interpretive qualitative study using a single case study design type appeared more applicable. This approach and design type would ensure the best opportunities to obtain the in-depth insider information regarding the client’s particular therapeutic experiences and possibly giving hints with regard to how it may have helped him to resolve his emotional problems. Specific to a qualitative single case study design type, specific data gathering and analysis methods were used, such as semi-structured interviews held with the client and his biological parents. Other data gathering techniques included the use of observations, video recordings,
therapy session notes. Each of the sessions was accordingly video taped from which further observations were made. Therapy session notes were also used to gather important qualitative information. Through out the therapy process the client additionally created collages, which could also be analyzed. Once all the data was gathered, each of the video recordings and follow-up interviews were transcribed and together with the collages were analyzed through a process of content analysis. Re-emerging themes were then coded, categorized and described in as much detail as possible.
From the data described in this research report, it became clear that Solution-Focused Therapy greatly assisted the client in coping better with his specific emotional problems, thereby implying that Solution-Focused Therapy was sufficient in facilitating and creating change in a young client experiencing emotional problems. However, with this verification came new questions. Firstly, did the client’s change process happen too rapidly for it to be sustained? Can the conclusions be truly accurate seeing as though they were made immediately after the research? Has sufficient time been spent on understanding the actual problem for the client to identify workable solutions? Is the therapist clouded by the complete positivity to remain objective in therapy in light of keeping solutions realistic?
In light of this, the client appeared to be in such a good space that exuded with positivity and solutions that only empowered this client to take back control over his life. A new sense of hope was instilled that allowed him to dream again and create the changes he desired. Through the specific techniques of Solution-Focused Therapy, this client was able to change a very negative mindset to one that is positive and yet realistic as well, irrespective of whether the change took place of two sessions or eight as proposed by the theory on Solution-Focused Therapy.
Mrs. H. Krige