Brief Therapy and Beyond is a collection of new and selected papers by prominent psychologist Michael Hoyt. Numerous clinical vignettes and informative discussions describe time-sensitive treatments to relieve psychological distress and/or promote growth. Drawing from an encyclopedic knowledge of the professional literature as well as humor, poetry, sports, and candid revelation, Hoyt illustrates the importance of stories, language, love, hope, and time in shaping worldviews that inspire and empower clients and clinicians to make effective and efficient changes.

Solution-focused therapy is often misunderstood to be no more than the techniques it is famous for—pragmatic, future-oriented questions that encourage clients to reconceptualize their problems and build on their strengths. Yet when applied in a "one-size-fits-all" manner, these techniques may produce disappointing results and leave clinicians wondering where they have gone wrong. This volume adds a vital dimension to the SFT literature, providing a rich theoretical framework to facilitate nonformulaic clinical decision making. The focus is on how attention to emotional issues, traditionally not emphasized in brief, strengths-based interventions, can help "unstick" difficult situations and pave the way to successful solutions.

The latest developments in this groundbreaking therapy approach! More Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is a ground breaking, intellectually provocative book, revealing new advances in the widely used, evidence based Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) approach. The final work of world renowned family therapists and original developers of SFBT, the late Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg (who passed away shortly before the book’s release) this definitive resource provides the most up-to-date information available on this eminently practical, internationally acclaimed approach. New revelations about the impact of language in therapeutic change are presented precisely and clearly, illustrated with real life case examples that give readers a “hands-on” view of the newest technical refinements in the SF approach. Challenging questions about the applications of SFBT to complex problems in “difficult” settings are given thoughtful, detailed answers. The book’s unique design allows the reader to “listen in” on the lively discussions that took place as the authors watched therapy sessions. The solution-focused brief therapy approach is based upon researchers observing thousands of hours of psychotherapy sessions and studying which questions and responses were most effective in helping people develop solutions to their problems. More Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is the most up-to-date, comprehensive review of this approach. This book discusses the latest developments in the fields of family therapy, brief therapy, and psychotherapy training and practice. A succinct overview orients the reader to the current state of SFBT, and provides three real life case transcripts that vividly illustrate the practical applications of SFBT techniques. The seminar format of More Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy allows readers to: sit in on surprising psychotherapy sessions eavesdrop on the authors’ commentary about the sessions get a comprehensive overview on the current state of SFBT review and understand the major tenets of SFBT learn specific interventions, including the miracle question and the reasons for asking it understand treatment applicability read actual session transcripts understand the “miracle scale” get insight into the unique relationship between Wittgenstein’s philosophy and SFBT better understand SFBT and emotions examine misconceptions about SFBT and more More Than Miracles: The State of the Art of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is illuminating reading for psychotherapists, counselors, human services personnel, health care workers, and teachers.

This book identifies the core competencies shared by expert therapists and helps clinicians—especially those providing brief dynamic/interpersonal therapy—to develop and apply them in their own work. Rather than being a cookbook of particular techniques, the book richly describes therapists' mental processes and moment-to-moment actions as they engage in effective therapeutic inquiry and improvise to help patients achieve their goals. The author integrates the psychotherapy and cognitive science literatures to provide a unique understanding of therapist expertise. Featuring many illustrative examples, the book offers fresh insights into how learning and interpersonal skills can be enhanced for both therapist and client.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. History of Brief Counseling: The Fly Bottle. 2. Facilitating Change: The One Constant. 3. The Centrality of the Counseling Relationship: No Magic Tricks. 4. Helping Clients Frame Goals: The Pull of the Future. 5. Constructivist Counseling: Inventing Realities. 6. Narrative Counseling: Clients' Lives as Stories. 7. Managing the Clients' Emotional Arousal: Hot-Wiring. 8. Using Mystifying Techniques: Turning Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones. 9. Chaos and Complexity in Counseling: Butterflies and Loaded Dice. 10. The Reflecting Team, Consulting Break, and Offering Suggestions. 11. The Brief Attitudes, the Second Session, and Beyond. 12. Dealing with Involuntaries and Revisiting the First Session.

explores the profound ethical and social consequences of today's biotechnical revolution. Almost every week brings news of novel methods for screening genes and testing embryos, choosing the sex and modifying the behavior of children, enhancing athletic performance, slowing aging, blunting painful memories, brightening mood, and altering basic temperaments. But we must not neglect the fundamental question: Should we be turning to biotechnology to fulfill our deepest human desires? We want better children -- but not by turning procreation into manufacture or by altering their brains to gain them an edge over their peers. We want to perform better in the activities of life -- but not by becoming mere creatures of chemistry. We want longer lives -- but not at the cost of becoming so obsessed with our own longevity that we care little about future generations. We want to be happy --

Struggling with the intricacies of Solution-Focused theory, skills or practice? Wanting to learn more about providing brief, practically-based solution-focused interventions across many therapeutic settings? As part of the popular Brief Therapies Series, this long awaited third edition will tell you all you need to know about Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and more! This popular introduction takes you step-by-step through the counselling process, providing insight into how to structure and manage your therapeutic work in ways that are grounded in Solution-Focused principles. This book includes: - a detailed introduction to the theory and practice of ′brief′ therapy - a discussion of the foundations of SFT - exercises to use with clients and/or trainees - brand new case examples relating theory directly to practice - an insightful reflection on the journey of the practitioner From leading Solution-Focused expert Bill O′Connell, this book will not only provide practical guidelines and theoretical background for the beginner but support and inspiration for the more experienced. Bill O′Connell is Director of Training for Focus on Solutions Limited in Birmingham. He was previously Head of the Counselling Department at Westhill College of Higher Education, Birmingham, and is co-editor of Handbook of Solution-Focused Therapy (SAGE, 2003).

Solution-focused therapy is an evidenced-based practice that focuses on creating conversations that build solutions, rather than solve problems. Learning Solution-Focused Therapy: An Illustrated Guide teaches readers how to practice and become competent in conducting solution-focused therapy, an area of growing interest as the emphasis on brief therapy increases. Critical to the book's learning strategy is the generous use of case illustrations that are detailed, rich, and instructive without being overly didactic. The case approach provides an effective means for seeing concepts put into practice, and since medicine is becoming more patient-focused, the solution-focused therapy model is highly relevant. Organized to show how a solution-focused interview is conducted, the book presents the basic model and goes on to apply this model in psychopharmacology, addiction, supervision and consultation. Each chapter combines readings, solution-focused questions, case illustrations, learning exercises and video demonstrations (available online), which together constitute a comprehensive course in this therapeutic modality. Moreover, the author's conversational writing style makes the tenets and techniques accessible and interesting to a wide variety of clinicians. Learning Solution-Focused Therapy: An Illustrated Guide will appeal to clinicians who wish to enhance their skills and support their patients' growth in a positive way.

This book provides an in-depth look at what a little-known clinician, the educational therapist, does and how they do it. It goes behind the clinician’s door to illustrate the unusual and broad range of interventions – both academic/vocational and social/emotional – that an educational therapist employs. This particular case study involves a young woman named Nora who had a severe but undiagnosed auditory processing disorder. She could not give meaning to the spoken language that came at her too rapidly, leaving her in a constant fog of words that she couldn’t comprehend. This case discloses the problems, their causes, and the emotional toll that had to be considered when developing an effective educational/therapeutic plan for Nora. It vividly illustrates the dynamic exchanges and mutual learning that goes on between client and therapist. Parts I and II illustrate how the psycho-educational interventions that addressed Nora’s academic and non-academic needs were gradually formulated over the first year. Part III provides a series of vignettes from subsequent years that illustrate the ongoing applications of the therapist’s work. Distinguishing Features Explanatory Sidebars – The rationale behind particular techniques and interventions is clarified through a system of explanatory sidebars that inform the reader without distracting from the story. This approach makes the book both an instructional tool well as compelling story. Organic Curriculum – The rationale for and application of an "organic (personalized) curriculum" is explained and applied throughout the book as a model for others to use in working with this population. A Longitudinal Perspective – The initial work with Nora began many years ago, so this book provides a long view of her life and tracks the influences that educational therapy exerted on her development into a fully functioning adult. Cognitive/Emotional Integration – The core of educational therapy – the interdependence of cognitive skills and emotional response – is clearly documented throughout the book. In addition to educational therapy students and practitioners, this book is appropriate for those working in related fields such as special education, school psychology, school counselling, and social work in educational settings.

The highly anticipated follow-up to Brief Therapy Client Handouts?now with even more practical, therapeutically sound strategies for helping clients change behaviors and address problems. Building on the success of Brief Therapy Client Handouts, this unique sourcebook provides a comprehensive collection of over 200 jargon-free, ready-to-use psycho-educational handouts, including concise articles, exercises, visual aids, self-assessments, and discussion sheets that support your clients before, during, and between sessions. Featuring a strong focus on mindfulness and cognitive therapy, More Brief Therapy Client Handouts incorporates sensitively written handouts addressing timely topics such as positive counseling strategies, psycho-spirituality, and using trance for pain management and weight loss. This exceptional resource features: A helpful Therapist Guide opens each chapter with learning objectives and creative suggestions for use of material More handouts devoted to parents, couples, families, and children Strategies and tasks within each handout for clients to do on their own or in the therapist's office as part of the session Assessment questionnaires targeting specific issues, including personality traits, automatic thoughts, core beliefs, symptoms of panic, and repetitious thoughts and behavior Exercises and worksheets such as Power Thinking Worksheet, Thought Record and Evaluation Form, Thought Changer Forms, Self-Talk Record, Selves and Parts Record, and Daily Food Log Practical and empowering, More Brief Therapy Client Handouts helps you reinforce and validate ideas presented in therapy and reassure clients during anxious times in between sessions. With a user-friendly design allowing you to easily photocopy handouts or customize them using the accompanying CD-ROM, this therapeutic tool will save you precious time and maximize the full potential of the material.