Neuroscience and Solution Focused Approaches
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The Staffordshire SF Community of Practice has a keen eye for research and evidence that supports Solution Focused approaches, probably from the influence of having a research nurse within the enthusiastic community. Already we have a database of research and studies showing favourable signs that using SFA's can be useful in a range of areas.
During the last few years a strange ally has been emerging that strengthens the scientific argument that engaging in solution building talk can be useful in activating areas of the brain associated with problem solving, interpersonnel skills, regulating emotions and creatvity.
This work of Eve Lipchick and others on neuroscience, neuro plasicity and solution focused thinking reveals powerful connections between what we say and do and the evolution of useful connections within the brain. From the viewpoint of neuroscience the brain is seen as open to change based on the relationships between the person and his environment, which of course includes conversations and interactions. When a person is engaged in conversations about preferred futures, looking at exceptions and discussing how they cope serve to strengthen pre existing neural pathways as well as promoting newer pathways.
The recent evidence shows that interventions specific to SF fit with the neuro plasicity aspect of brain development. Memories of past events get distorted however never die off and when asked to focus on these past events during therapy the risks are that a problem focused approach will serve to strengthen the memory pathways associated with trauma as well as the internal view of oneself as a failure or faulty to some degree. The evidence shows that by focusing on exceptions and coping, the traumatic memories may be contained as the neural pathways associated with the here and now view of oneself as a resourceful person strengthens.
The evidence from studies into the brain also show that small changes to specific functions of the brain lead to larger significant changes to the persons emotional responses and behaviour. This fits neatly into the idea that small changes lead to bigger changes, small steps lead to bigger steps. Also the revelations in neuroscience could serve to increase the practitioner's confidence in the process of asking Solution Focused questions and reflecting specific actions that the client takes, although it is neccesary to leave neuroscience at the door when engaging in conversations with clients, unless of course the client is wearing a labcoat!
During the last few years a strange ally has been emerging that strengthens the scientific argument that engaging in solution building talk can be useful in activating areas of the brain associated with problem solving, interpersonnel skills, regulating emotions and creatvity.
This work of Eve Lipchick and others on neuroscience, neuro plasicity and solution focused thinking reveals powerful connections between what we say and do and the evolution of useful connections within the brain. From the viewpoint of neuroscience the brain is seen as open to change based on the relationships between the person and his environment, which of course includes conversations and interactions. When a person is engaged in conversations about preferred futures, looking at exceptions and discussing how they cope serve to strengthen pre existing neural pathways as well as promoting newer pathways.
The recent evidence shows that interventions specific to SF fit with the neuro plasicity aspect of brain development. Memories of past events get distorted however never die off and when asked to focus on these past events during therapy the risks are that a problem focused approach will serve to strengthen the memory pathways associated with trauma as well as the internal view of oneself as a failure or faulty to some degree. The evidence shows that by focusing on exceptions and coping, the traumatic memories may be contained as the neural pathways associated with the here and now view of oneself as a resourceful person strengthens.
The evidence from studies into the brain also show that small changes to specific functions of the brain lead to larger significant changes to the persons emotional responses and behaviour. This fits neatly into the idea that small changes lead to bigger changes, small steps lead to bigger steps. Also the revelations in neuroscience could serve to increase the practitioner's confidence in the process of asking Solution Focused questions and reflecting specific actions that the client takes, although it is neccesary to leave neuroscience at the door when engaging in conversations with clients, unless of course the client is wearing a labcoat!
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