Solution Focused Approaches

Neuroplasticity seems to have (at least) two meanings. One is the ability of the brain to compensate for damage. For example a person whose stroke had affected their speech could still sing. Over time their speech recovered as the part of the brain controlling singing adapted to its new function.

The second form of neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to adapt and be influenced by the content and tone of conversation. This has implications for, and explains the reasons behind, solution focused conversations. Problem free talk, exception seeking, preferred future description and compliments all activate a set of neural pathways which can facilitate and support positive change. This is, of course, the antithesis of problem focused, pathologically past focused and negative conversations often associated with health, education, management, coaching and everyday life.

The key is language. What we say and the questions we ask are critical. Responses to noticing questions and descriptions of preferred futures have dramatically different effects on neuroplasticity to the problem focused alternatives.  The specific words we use are also critical. Using ‘and’ rather than ‘but’, ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ and ‘who will’ rather that ‘will anyone’ are equally important.

Here’s a link to an article looking at the role of language in Recovery.

Please get in touch to let me know how this is useful and to offer any thoughts on solution focused practice. Please make a note of whether the response is a  ‘private message’ or something to share with the community of practice.

http://www.psychosocial.com/IJPR_10/Social_Construction_of_MI_and_Implications_for_Recovery_Walker.html

All the best,

Steve

Another great night….

A small and perfectly formed group for the IG on 25^th March met at Al Shafiqs in Stone, Staffordshire.

Before and between courses we discussed a range of topics which included;

Update from the team on their current practice.

Local and national developments in SFP which were discussed included courses and training in SFP, the role of accreditation for SFP practitioners and trainers and which conferences are available vs. desirable.

IAPT and stepped care were discussed at length in terms of how therapeutic approaches and services are being included and excluded in Staffordshire and other parts of the UK.

We discussed the benefits and pleasures of exception seeking, problem free talk and validation of competence. This was followed by a discussion of how to manage situations in which SFP has been presented and people respond with ‘I’m already doing this’. The consensus was that validating current experience and expertise was worthwhile and that this could usefully be followed by developing the person’s narrative of what it is that they do in order to clarify and discuss where SFP is being used already and could, potentially, be used more.

It was felt that the role of pathology was a critical factor in other approaches whilst SFP concentrates on ‘the person not the problem’.

The change of style of the IG was discussed and it was agreed by those present that we would stick with the current model for the moment.

The next IG will be Thursday 29^th at 7:30 pm. Venue to be confirmed. Any ideas or suggestions welcome.

All the best,

Steve

Hi team, Curry night & Interest Group will be going ahead tomorrow evening. 7:30 meet at Al Shafiqs, top of the High Street in Stone.

A great start to 2010 for people from diverse geographical and professional backgrounds on 25^th February.

The food was good the conversation even better. A wide range of topics included SFP across cultures, the role of pathology in debilitating people, various applications of SFP, the role of expertise in both halves of the SF conversation and the ways in which SFP and Recovery can be integrated.

We hope to meet at the same venue again on Thursday March 25^th.

I’m off to Shetland for a week of SFP training with a range of folk and will hopefully catch up on reporting on both this and Hong Kong soon.

All the best

Steve