In the world of mental health support, speed often becomes a critical factor for many clients seeking care. Most people drop out of therapy before their goals are met. When individuals are seeking relief from distressing challenges, the Brief Therapy Model is an effective approach for those needing change and tangible results. Our emphasis on motivation and managing expectations from the very beginning helps us keep clients engaged and active in the discussion of when therapy should end because they have achieved enough change. We aim to demystify what makes problem-solving therapy at the Brief Therapy Center a swift and effective intervention for your clients. It is not going quickly, but our emphasis on the client’s world, their motivations and making small tangible changes that set out model apart. It is our flexibility to adapt to their needs/for what they are asking from us rather than what we think they need or should be asking for, in the here and now- that allow this model to resolve problems quickly. Our swiftness isa by-product of being focused, concrete and respectful.
What Makes Problem-Solving Brief Therapy, brief?
The Brief Therapy Model operates from a deep respect for those that come in for help. This is illustrated in our emphasis to use the words and descriptions that the client uses to talk about their problems. We shy away from therapeutic jargon and labels. We would only adopt that if the client uses those words and it is important to them. We want the client to feel heard and we find that entering their world and seeing it from their point of view, serves as a respectful way to garner a therapeutic alliance.
Another element that allows this model to produce results more quickly is that we have a results-oriented framework. The key way to weave in our emphasis on results in through our immediate focus on the client’s motivation and active participation. Unlike traditional talk therapy, where your clients may be attending sessions regardless of their readiness for change, this model of problem-solving therapy helps clients figure out what change in therapy they are motivated for at this moment. We don’t necessarily work with the “identified patient”, because often we will discover that the IP is not the motivated client, BUT their parent or partner IS and we would shift focus to working with them. This unique feature allows us to work with theperson/people who really want to show up and work, to facilitate change and make it difficult for the IP to continue the communication or behavior that they were referred to therapy for. This intrinsic motivation serves as a springboard for progress, as clients are eager to engage in the therapeutic process and work towards tangible solutions.
In contrast, traditional talk therapy often adopts a more exploratory and conceptual approach. Clients are typically identified based on diagnostic criteria, and sessions may revolve around seeking explanations or diagnoses for their symptoms. Their motivation is often pathologized or considered as an afterthought to getting to know them. Therapists may delve into vague and abstract concepts, philosophizing about the root causes of behaviors or emotions. Additionally, therapists often hold the authority to determine the seriousness of symptoms and follow a prescribed protocol based on diagnoses and historical information.
We have more to say about this, if you are curious, check out our related blog
Exploring Clients’ Problems with Precision:
In the Brief Therapy Model, you will explore clients’ problems with precision and clarity. For instance, when a client reports an incident of conflict, say between your client and a roommate/friend/family member, explore the details of the situation. Ask what they say or what they heard, who was involved, and ask them how the conflict is a problem and in what ways they wish it had gone differently. By having the client dissect their own problem into manageable components, you as the therapist can identify tangible areas of opportunity and work as a team towards addressing them. The key is that your clients retain agency throughout the process, and ultimately decide when they feel they have accomplished their therapeutic goal.
This model works to break down symptomology into digestible behaviors and look at the communication and messages that are inherent in our behavior. When we do this, the model can be applied to any problem. Using the client’s language, their motivation, being curious about their world and what they have tried, the Brief Therapy model gives you simple tools that allow you to stay focused, reduce complexity and subsequently promote “good enough”. This course of action allows clients to “graduate” from therapy sooner rather than later and find the results that will improve their lives life.
By empowering clients to actively engage in problem-solving and focusing on actionable solutions, the Brief Therapy Model offers an empowering and clear approach to addressing psychological challenges. While traditional talk therapy may work for some people, problem-solving therapy is a promising option for those seeking swift relief and lasting change. This approach is multicultural, adaptive to clients and is founded in respect for the client their world and their agency.
