How does it work?
In the course of your life, you have made many changes – in the way you think, feel, learn, work and relate to others. Most of the time we take this ability to adapt and overcome challenge for granted. Sometimes, however, a problem comes along that seems insoluble – no matter what we do. Faced with this kind of difficulty, it is east to get caught up in repeated attempts at finding a solution. This is when it is helpful to talk with someone who is skilled at listening and at facilitating change.
A Solution-Oriented Therapist can provide a new perspective on an old situation, allowing you to make the most of your abilities and open up possibilities for change.
Central to the Solution-Oriented approach is a fundamental respect for your personal values, feelings and abilities. It is deliberately flexible to accommodate your needs, and therapy is structured according to your agenda rather than a rigid psychological theory. The therapist will work collaboratively with you, concentrating on your individual strengths and looking ahead to the kind of future you want to create for yourself.
Developed by innovative American therapist Bill O Hanlon and others, Solution-Oriented Brief Therapy is distinguished from many traditional forms of therapies by its emphasis on present strengths and future change, rather than analysis of deficiencies in the past.
As the name suggests, effective and lasting solutions can often be found in a surprisingly short time, although care is always taken that change happens at a pace that is appropriate to the individual, couple or family.
