Based on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, a counseling model that focuses on times when a specific problem does not occur instead of why it happens, this remarkable new resource helps parents learn how to change their relationships with their children, so children may be empowered to solve their own problems.
This practical book presents readers with a skills-based, child rearing approach to supporting a child’s growth and helping them overcome both minor and major developmental challenges. In contrast to conventional approaches to child psychology, this innovative approach focuses on developing children’s abilities rather than concentrating on and trying to fix their “problems.” Additionally, instead of blaming caretakers for their child’s challenges, the skills approach offers them the keys with which they can coach and motivate their children to overcome challenges by learning required skills. Readers will find it easy to grasp the idea of the skills mindset through the book’s wealth of eye-opening stories, case examples, and the author’s personal insights as a psychotherapist, parent, and creator of the Kids’Skills method. Clear, detailed instructions will help readers immediately put the ideas into everyday practice with their own children and families. This book is a must-have, hope-instilling toolbox for anyone involved in the task of raising a child. Parents, grandparents, teachers, mental health professionals, and more will find this a valuable resource in ensuring the future success of the children in their lives.
When it was first published in 1995, Linda Metcalf’s book Counseling Toward Solutions became an instant bestseller. Written for counselors and teachers at all levels, this revised and updated second edition of Counseling Toward Solutions presents a positive program for changing individual behavior that empowers students of all ages to deal with their own problems, gaining self-esteem in the process.
The Solution Focused Approach with Children and Young People: Current Thinking and Practice brings together leading figures and innovative practitioners from different professions, contexts and countries to provide a unique overview of Solution Focused work with children and young people. Presenting a range of applications in individual, group and community work, it puts the spotlight on diverse fields, exploring how the Solution Focused approach can work in real-world contexts. This book showcases a powerful, engaging approach which helps children and young people find the resources and strengths to manage difficulties and make the most of their lives. It contains interesting case studies, narrative descriptions of original practice, programmes of work developed using Solution Focused principles, and thought-provoking discussions of key elements of practice. With chapters presenting perspectives from coaching, therapy, consultancy and education, and applications including learning assessments, child protection, bereavement, edge of care, and youth offending, the book provides an overview of the current state of practice and provides pointers to potential new developments. The Solution Focused Approach with Children and Young People will help both experienced practitioners and those new to the approach to develop and update their knowledge and skills, as well as introducing them to creative and cutting-edge tools to inspire fresh ideas and thinking. It will be essential reading for Solution Focused practitioners and students, as well as coaches, social workers, school counsellors and mental health professionals working with children and young people.
Solution focused approaches offer proven ways of helping children overcome a whole range of difficulties, from academic problems to mental health issues, by helping them to identify their strengths and achievements. Based on solution focused practice principles, this book illustrates communication skills and playful techniques for working with all children and young people, regardless of any health, learning or development need. It demonstrates how the approach can capture children's views, wishes and worries, and can assist them in identifying their strengths and abilities. The approach encourages positive decision-making, and helps children to overcome challenges, achieve their goals and reach their full potential. The book is packed with case examples, practical strategies, and practice activities. This valuable text will be of great use to a range of practitioners working with children and young people, including social workers, youth workers, counsellors, teachers and nurses.
"The SOS (Sense of Self) Model = benefits of group work + solution-focused counseling + psychoeducational skills development. This timely text provides essential content on group practices, solution-focused counseling, and proven strategies for implementation of groups in schools. Imagine having a program that allows counselors and other helping professionals to meet many more students' critical needs, save a great deal of planning and implementation time, and develop skills in self acceptance, communication, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, decision making, and self care! The SOS Model provides group session plans and interactive group activities to meet all of the ASCA National Standards for Personal/Social Development. This practical "how to" book includes all of the ready-to-use tools to set up, run, and evaluate groups--needs assessments, letters to parents and teachers, solution-focused interview guides, 54 session guides and handouts, and evaluations. CD-ROM includes all reproducible forms, guides, and handouts"--Publisher's website.
The Field Guide toCounseling Toward Solutions When it was first published in 1995, Linda Metcalf's bookCounseling Toward Solutions became an instant bestseller. The bookoffered a new and positive program for changing individual behaviorthat helped K-12 students with their own problems and gave themself-esteem in the process. Now, The Field Guide to CounselingToward Solutions offers school counselors, teachers, andadministrators a complete program for changing the way that schoolsdeal with a variety of issues.?From an alternative school programthat enlists the power of teacher mentors to the elementary programthat involves the teacher, parent, and student in the counselingprocess, this book shows how to make change happen and how to makeit last. The solution-focused approach helps everyone involved to begintheir own change process by noticing when a problem does not occur,rather than focusing on the problem or what caused it. It includesinformation targeted to specific age groups—elementary schoolstudents, middle schoolers, and adolescents—because eachdevelopmental stage requires a certain perspective and focus inorder to collaborate and reach solutions. The Field Guide to Counseling Toward Solutions offers guidelinesfor developing a school-wide program that encompasses virtually allof the day-to-day programming that schools must provide forstudents. The book includes techniques and suggestions for: Training staff to become more solution-focused andstudent-centered Working together with teams, teachers, and parents so that the"system" creates and maintains change Creating support groups for parents and students Reducing special education referrals through solution-focusedconversations In this book, bestselling author and veteran school counselorLinda Metcalf offers more than a simple positive strategy ortechnique—she provides a way to think about school "clients"that can change interactions and guarantee success.
What would a more comprehensive, practical, and customized solution-focused brief counseling (SFBC) book look like for school counselors if it were available today? Solution-Focused School Counseling: The Missing Manual is what I pictured when I imagined the answer to that hypothetical question. Although helpful to other professionals such as social workers, clinical mental health counselors, and couples counselors, this book was written just for you, the school counselor. After reading Solution-Focused School Counseling: The Missing Manual, you will have a clearer understanding of the ins and outs of the SFBC approach. You'll be better able to picture how the model works across different parts of your job, with all kids, and among various issues. You will also be better equipped to navigate the common sticking points that some counselors experience. First, you will learn about the principles, guidelines, and techniques of solution-focused brief counseling. Then, you will discover practical ways you can use the SFBC model in different areas such as: Advising and Career Counseling Classroom Lessons Conflict Resolution Individual Counseling Leadership Parent Conferences Peer Helping Play Counseling Program Development Small Group Counseling Supervision Teacher Consultation and Support You'll also learn how to collect solution-focused data, adapt teaching activities for the classroom, and integrate SFBC with other approaches such as rational-emotive behavior therapy, reality therapy, and behavior modification. The Missing Manual also includes several authentic transcripts that demonstrate the methods in different situations. From understanding solution-focused brief counseling to applying it throughout your program, this book gives you detailed information to get yourself to the next level. Both in-service practitioners and pre-service graduate students will find Solution-Focused School Counseling: The Missing Manual an excellent resource for becoming a solution-focused school counselor.
`On a scale of 0-10 I would give the Handbook of Solution Focused Therapy a nine - it met my best hopes in terms of an insight into the theory and mechanics of SFT, and gave me ideas for extending my current use of the therapy. I found it engaging, readable and well-presented, with useful reference lists within each chapter to guide further reading′ - Solution News `This collection of fifteen chapters, each written by a different specialist in the SFT field, is a valuable contribution to the Solution-Focused therapist′s bookshelf. A must-read for any informed SF therapy practitioner - Mark McKergow, The Solutions Focus `This book has 14 chapters on diverse applications of Solution-Focus, between introductory and closing chapters by Bill O′Connell. The book relates to work being done in the UK and in Ireland, excepting Alasdair MacDonald′s piece on research in SFT, which is an up-to-date and welcome review of research findings world-wide. All the chapters are succinct and they convey a clear impression of the lightness and excitement of this approach, for service-users and therapists alike. The book is a good read for any therapist, professional helper or service manager′ - Robert Cumming , Nurturing Potential Solution-Focused therapy is an increasingly popular approach, used by practitioners in a wide range of contexts and settings. Illustrating the breadth and depth of contemporary practice, the Handbook of Solution-Focused Therapy brings together contributions from leading practitioners in fields such as social work, education and health care to show how solution-focused techniques can be effective in many different situations. Beginning with an introduction to the origins and theory of the approach, the book examines different areas of practice, explaining how and why the solution-focused approach is applicable and highlighting the issues specific to each context. Each chapter features a case-example, which demonstrates the practical advantages and difficulties, involved in using the solution-focused approach. The Handbook of Solution-Focused Therapy is an ideal text for training courses in solution-focused therapy and a source of new ideas for practitioners trained in other approaches who want to integrate solution-focused techniques with their existing practice. Bill O′Connell is a Senior Lecturer in Counselling at University of Birmingham and author of Solution-Focused Therapy (SAGE 1998) and Solution-Focused Stress Counselling (Continuum 2001). Professor Stephen Palmer is Director of the Centre for Stress Management and the Centre for Coaching, London. He has written and edited over 25 books.
Structured, therapist-led approaches to play therapy are becoming increasingly popular due to their time-limited nature and efficacy for such specific disorders as trauma and attachment issues. This is the first book to provide comprehensive coverage of numerous directive play therapy techniques and interventions that are empirically validated and can be adapted for use in clinical, school, group, and family settings. Designed for both students and practitioners, the text addresses the theoretical bases for these approaches and provides in-depth, practical guidance for their use. The book describes how directive play therapies differ from nondirective therapies and illustrates best practices in using directive techniques. It examines such diverse approaches as cognitive behavioral, solution focused, sensorimotor, and the use of creative arts in play therapy. Each approach is covered in terms of its theoretical foundation, research basis, specific techniques for practice, and a case example. The text describes how to adapt directive play therapy techniques for use in various contexts, such as with families, in groups, and in schools. Helpful templates for treatment planning and case documentation are also included, making the book a valuable resource for both training courses and practicing professionals in play therapy, clinical mental health counseling, child counseling, school counseling, child and family social work, marriage and family therapy, and clinical child psychology. Key Features: Delivers step-by-step guidance for using directive play therapy techniques--the first book to do so Addresses theoretical basis, research support, and practical techniques for a diverse range of therapies Covers varied settings and contexts including school, clinical, group, and family settings Includes case studies Provides templates for treatment planning and case documentation