What are some ways to integrate solution-focused brief therapy with MI?

1 Benefits of integration

Integrating SFBT with MI can offer several benefits for both therapists and clients. For therapists, it can provide a flexible and adaptable framework that can suit different contexts and populations. It can also help them avoid getting stuck in unproductive or confrontational interactions, and instead use effective strategies to elicit and reinforce change talk. For clients, it can help them feel more empowered and motivated to take action, as well as more confident and optimistic about their abilities and possibilities. It can also help them focus on what works for them, rather than what is wrong with them, and build on their existing skills and resources.

2 Key principles of integration

Integrating SFBT with MI requires following some key principles that are consistent with both approaches. It is important to establish a collaborative and respectful relationship with the client, based on empathy, curiosity, and acceptance. Additionally, eliciting the client's goals, values, and preferences, and aligning the intervention with them is essential. Open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries should be used to facilitate the conversation and demonstrate active listening. Solution-focused questions should be asked to help the client identify their strengths, resources, successes, and exceptions to their problems. Scaling questions can be used to assess the client's readiness, confidence, and satisfaction with their progress and to elicit change talk and positive feedback. It is important to support the client's autonomy and self-efficacy without giving advice or imposing solutions. Lastly, encourage the client to experiment with small and realistic steps that can lead to positive change and evaluate the results.

3 Examples of integration

To demonstrate how to integrate SFBT with MI, here are some possible questions or statements that you can use with your clients. For example, you can inquire about reasons for wanting to change their behavior, the benefits they anticipate from changing, and their level of readiness to change on a scale of 0 to 10. Additionally, you can ask what they have done in the past that has helped them move closer to their goal and how they can use their strengths and resources to overcome challenges. Furthermore, you can inquire about signs of progress and what steps they can take this week to move closer to their goal. Finally, you can ask how confident they are in taking that step and how you can support them in doing so.

4 Tips for integration

Integrating SFBT with MI effectively requires flexibility and responsiveness to the client's needs and preferences. It is important to be curious and respectful of the client's perspective, avoiding assumptions or judgments. Additionally, being positive and optimistic while emphasizing the client's potential and possibilities is key. It is also beneficial to be collaborative and supportive, helping the client discover and build on their own solutions. Finally, it is essential to be brief and focused, aiding the client in moving toward action and change.

5 Challenges of integration

Integrating SFBT with MI can also pose some challenges, such as balancing the focus on the present and future, the role of the therapist, the use of scaling questions and other types of questions, solution-focused questions and change talk, and feedback and affirmation. To overcome these challenges, it is important to be mindful of your own assumptions, biases, and habits, as well as to seek feedback and supervision from your peers or mentors. Additionally, it is essential to monitor the client's reactions and responses, so that you can adapt your approach accordingly.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?