The Magic Wand Question and Recovery‐Focused Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Abstract

The effectiveness of any treatment is best judged by the individual receiving care, and positive results have been achieved in this case study. Use of this approach ensured professionals were looking beyond diagnosis, illness, and problems in line with the principles of recovery-focused practice (Scottish Recovery Network [SRN] and NHS Education for Scotland [NES], 2007). The use of the MWQ in this case enhanced the knowledge of evidence-based practices, in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, ) and improved overall outcomes for individuals receiving care.

Recovery Assessment Scale‐Domains and Stages: Measurement capacity, relevance, acceptability and feasibility of use with young people

“…Clinicians are called to collaborate with consumers and support them to “drive” their own recovery as much as possible rather than practice in overly protective or controlling ways. This focus on empowerment is consistent within youth‐focused literature (Friesen, ; Kaplan & Racussen, ; Wells & McCaig, ). However, translation of recovery‐oriented principles or policies into practice change has proven difficult in adult mental health services.…”

Introducing solution‐focussed brief therapy to mental health nurses across a local health district in Australia

“…The strong correlation that SBFT has with the principles of recovery has also been highlighted (Hawkes & Hingley ; Wells & McCaig ), and SFBT is supported by a growing evidence base (Gingerich & Eisengart ; Kim ; Kim & Franklin ; Stams et al . ).…”

“…• Understanding the cause of an individual's problem has no necessary connection with resolving it • Talking over problems and deficiencies is not sufficient to mobilize change in people, and can engender a lack of hope and powerlessness in both the person and practitioner • The role of the SFBT practitioner is to identify what the individual wants to be different, and then to explore and elaborate on that difference • SFBT recognizes that a rapid or complete resolution of problems is unrealistic, and that small obtainable goals are preferred • The assumption in SFBT is that the person is competent to figure out what they want and need in their life, and is willing to do something about it • The aim of SFBT questions is to surface past successes, individual strengths and abilities, coping skills, resources, and the person's vision for the future, thereby helping to formulate solutions to problems, rather than dwell on problems themselves • However serious or intractable the problem, there are always exceptions, and these exceptions contain the seeds of the person's own solutions (Ferraz & Wellman 2008;Henden 2008;McAllister 2003;Walsh & Moss 2007;Wand 2010Wand , 2013 The strong correlation that SBFT has with the principles of recovery has also been highlighted (Hawkes & Hingley 2011;Wells & McCaig 2016), and SFBT is supported by a growing evidence base (Gingerich & Eisengart 2000;Kim 2008;Kim & Franklin 2009;Stams et al 2006). More recently, for example, Gingerich and Peterson (2013) reviewed 43 controlled outcome studies on SFBT.…”

Solution Focused Brief Therapy Telemental Health Suicide Intervention

“…It is important for the therapist to go further and discuss what makes this solution a miracle to their problem and in doing so be listening for and selecting solution-focused language, exceptions to the problem, or strengths the client may have, etc. Wells and McCaig ( 2016 ) discussed utilizing the miracle question with adolescents in a medical setting and stressed that its effectiveness is best judged by the client. The miracle question demonstrates that the clinician is making significant efforts to see beyond the client’s problem state while also addressing safety in the moment (Wells & McCaig, 2016 ).…”

“…Wells and McCaig ( 2016 ) discussed utilizing the miracle question with adolescents in a medical setting and stressed that its effectiveness is best judged by the client. The miracle question demonstrates that the clinician is making significant efforts to see beyond the client’s problem state while also addressing safety in the moment (Wells & McCaig, 2016 ). Assessing safety and lethality is a theme continuing throughout solution-focused crisis work and not a separate step because the solution-focused therapist is intently listening to what is important to the client, they are also listening for safety throughout the duration of the session (Greene et al, 1996 ).…”