Solution Talk: Hosting Therapeutic Conversations

by Ben Furman, Tapani Ahola

Solution talk is a term Furman and Ahola use to refer to a constructive and agreeable manner of talking with people about problems. A conversation dominated by "solution talk" rather than "problem talk" is characterized by an atmosphere of mutual respect and is likely to focus on the future rather than the past, on resources rather than failings, on success and progress rather than failure, on credit rather than blame, and on solutions rather than problems. This book brings the principles of solution talk to life. Furman and Ahola demonstrate that in situations where there seems little or no reason to hope, where the burdens of the past seem too heavy to bear and the future looks dark, there are always some overlooked resources. They show that in uncovering resources one does not have to be serious--much can be accomplished by injecting a small dose of humor within the context of a large dose of respect. Furman and Ahola persuasively demonstrate how simply inviting people to generate visions of a positive future can open the way to new possibilities. They provocatively argue for a more constructive vocabulary to refer to problem behavior and stir the imagination of the reader by eschewing conventional psychological explanations in favor of inventive--even absurd--ones. If these principles were presented without clinical examples, readers might doubt the applicability of solution talk to difficult and seemingly intractable cases. But the authors have provided an impressive collection of case material and clinical vignettes, including work with individuals, families, and organizations. Told with candor, respect and humor, these stories refreshingly document the emerging view ofpsychotherapy not as a method of curing disturbed people and families, nor as a technique for fixing problems, but rather as a way of conversing with people that is likely to inspire solutions and enhance collaboration among those concerned. In Solution Talk Furman and Ahola manage to conv

Genres: Psychology

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Ben Zwi Hirsch Furman is a Finnish psychiatrist, registered trainer-psychotherapist, teacher of solution-focused therapy, co-director of Helsinki Brief Therapy Institute Ltd. and a writer. Also Approved Supervisor of the American Association of Marital and Family Therapy 1995-2000.

Ben founded The Helsinki Brief Therapy Institute, Ltd, together with his colleague Tapani Ahola in 1986. The institute provides professional training in solution-focused psychotherapy, coaching, supervision, and leadership.

Ben has written over 20 books covering such varied topics as psychotherapy, leadership, management, coaching, work environment, resiliency, child therapy, family therapy and self help. His books have been translated to many foreign languages including English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Polish, Icelandic, Hebrew, Estonian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Bulgarian.

Over the years Ben has developed a number of solution-focused tools or methods that help poeple solve problems, overcome difficulties and make improvements in their life. The most well known are Reteaming, Twin-Star, Cooperation and Kids' Skills.

Ben teaches in and lectures in his own country as well as abroad. In Finland he is well known for his informative psychological program on national TV which he hosted for several years during 1990's and 2000's. More recently Ben was working for two years with the radio hosting a biweekly two hour call in program on YLE, National Finnish Radio. During the fall of 2012 Ben was involved in a reality show called "Pissed off" which explored the coaching of five well known Finnish persons to help them improve the quality of their life. In this series Ben acted as the coach of one of the five persons.

Ben lectures internationally and has over the years had engagements in several European countries as well as overseas.

(Sources:
http://www.benfurman.com/en/more-info...
http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Furman)