Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Combination With Fantasy and Creative Language in Working With Children: A Brief Report

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to describe the application of a model of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) integrated with the ideas of storytelling and creative language used in the psychological support service in an Italian school setting. The young clients described their changes and thoughts about the treatment using a self-report questionnaire. There were 32 young clients and the mean age was 13 years old. The data collected show promising first results and the interventions were appreciated by the clients. The youths reported that the interventions they thought of as most effective were the exceptions-seeking questions and the ideas to use the skills and competences they had developed in other settings (e.g., sports, art, or music) in the context of the therapeutic work to solve a problem. Furthermore, many students revealed that the use of stories and metaphors helped them to better understand some aspects of their situation. This let them be creative about their solutions so they could apply the ideas in a variety of situations. We give suggestions for practice and for further research on the integrating of fantasy and storytelling into SFBT.

The use of proverb as a metaphor in solution-focused brief counseling: A preliminary study and framework for school counselors

“…The research methods used are mostly qualitative studies. In terms of research findings, most researchers reported that the use of proverbs in the counseling process made a positive contribution to client change (Ariantini et al, 2019;Ciuffardi et al, 2013;Disassa & Into, 2020;Liu et al, 2012;McRobie & Agee, 2017;Owu-Ewie, 2019;Rahill et al, 2011;Zubaidah, 2019).Second, we find that proverbs and metaphors are two things that cannot be separated in the social reality of society because they are both cultural products. A proverbs in a psychosocial framework reflect the normative aspects of how people think and behave in social situations.…”

“…In relation to the topic of metaphors in counseling, we found 5 conceptual review literatures that explain theoretically about the use of metaphors in counseling as a therapeutic change technique (Ahammed, 2010;Genuchi et al, 2016;Tay, 2012;Tay, 2014;Wagener, 2017;Zatloukal et al, 2019). In addition, we also find 8 empirical research literature as evidence that the use of metaphorical techniques has an important role for counselors and is effective in changing clients' thoughts, emotions and behavior (Ciuffardi et al, 2013;Gelo & Mergenthaler, 2012;Komasi et al, 2017;Mashar & Nurihsan, 2017;Rahman, 2015;Robert & Kelly, 2010;Rahill et al, 2011;Shoushtari, 2015). Based on the results of the analysis of the literature, we summarize the metaphor technique into four steps; (1) planning metaphors, (2) delivering metaphors, (3) exploring meanings and new insights, (4) actualizing the benefits of metaphors in real life.…”

“…Many things are offered by the SFBC approach to school counselors to help students get out of their various problems, for example; behavioral and emotional problems, or reduce negative prejudice, academic problems, social skills, prevention of school dropouts and drug use (Kim et al, 2017). In addition to the school, SFBC has also been applied in some special populations or a particular culture as described by (Ciuffardi et al, 2013;Gong & Hsu, 2016;Kim et al, 2015;Meyer & Cottone, 2013).…”

“…For this reason, it is very possible that the metaphor technique can be integrated in the SFBC approach, (4) therapeutic communication aspects, metaphor is a means of therapeutic communication between counselor and client through positive language meaning. The SFBC approach also has several therapeutic communication techniques as its main strength which implies a number of metaphorical elements, for example; miracle questions, scaling questions, the use of rituals and positive client stories and these techniques are the most basic forms of metaphorical concepts (Ciuffardi et al, 2013;Clarke, 2014;Zatloukal et al, 2019).…”

A bodhisattva-spirit-oriented counselling framework: inspired by Vimalakīrti wisdom

“…The technique of exaggeration intensifies the discussion theme in a therapeutic process in order to draw out the creative and imaginative potential of the client (Dolliver 1991, Ciuffardi, Scavelli, andLeonardi 2013). In the Sūtra, the chapter "Inconceivable" uses this technique frequently.…”