Brief Counseling That Works: A Solution-Focused Therapy Approach for School Counselors and Other Mental Health Professionals

by Gerald B. Sklare

Everything you need for maximum counseling results in less time!

Expert Gerald Sklare provides fresh insights and new applications for solution-focused brief counseling (SFBC). Learn

• Conduct brief, short-term sessions that lead to rapid, observable change
• Create well-defined client goals
• Enable clients to envision and take steps toward a more hopeful future
• Maximize your time for rapid, observable student progress
• Use the solution-focused principles with reluctant clients 
• Conduct positive, goal-oriented parent conferences 
• Work with individuals in school and community settings

You’ll find helpful flow charts and note sheets, and invaluable practice exercises.
 

Genres: Counselling, Psychology, Nonfiction, Education, Textbooks

248 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2014

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to very helpful in my role as a college academic advisors

[Joel Hacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonably straightforward read. It does tend to get a bit redundant at times, a failing of a lot of technique focused counseling books, though in this case not a major problem. It relies pretty heavily on sample conversations/scripts of counselors and clients implementing techniques. This is one of the places where said redundancy occurs, and besides that it becomes a bit tiresome by the end of the book. This is distinct from actual case study examples presented, which were a bit more informative and useful. All in all, a good overview of SFBT implementation in the schools setting.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and as a school counselor, this is a counseling approach I want to increase my skills in. This book is a fantastic guide in explaining the approach, provides step-by-step strategies, and expands on the approach by showing its use in various different situations. The author also shows its use in combination with other techniques such as guided imagery and sand trays, which is awesome! It provides flow charts and forms to utilize and provides multiple case studies to practice with. I am so happy to have this resource to continue to improve my counseling skills in this area and I can't wait to utilize it to assist my students.

[Eliana Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good examples to support the approach to counseling. Although this won’t work in every situation, the Solution-Focused Therapy Approach for Mental Health professionals seems to be a strategy that can help all people make progress toward achieving their personal goals. Excited to dive into this content with clients!

[mia russo · Rating 3 out of 5]

SFBC definitely has a place in the world (especially with kids/in schools) but not in my practice. It feels like it was developed to make the counselor feel better and avoids a lot of the real issues people have - which isn’t the point of counseling. I would incorporate miracle questions and the strengths centered outlook for clients though. Book was clear but repetitive.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Technically I have three chapters left but this book has some great routines to add into my counseling tool belt. Very practical and helpful for any friends needing guidance (and for myself too!)

[Brittany]

SFBT recommendation

[Chao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the quick strategies that this book provides.

[Gwenn Mangine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had helpful strategies for helping others along the planned change process when time is limited.

[Lilly Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of redundant, but the information is very applicable for school counselors

[John (JP) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief Counseling that works
This is a theory of counseling that is based on 3 core rules. and 5 basic assumptions The book uses its 227 pages to explain and give examples of how this type of counseling works. Anyone thinking of reading this book should be aware of the basic rules and assumptions underlying it. The book is aimed at School counsellor but in my opinion pastors and lay people who need to quick brief interventions in peoples lives.
Rule 1:If it ain’t broke done fit it, Rule 2: Once you know what works, do more of it , and Rule 3 :If it doesn’t work don’t do it again, do something different, Assumption 1: Focusing of success leads to solutions, Assumption 2 : Every problem has a few identifiable exceptions Assumption 3 : Small changes have a ripple effect, Assumption 4: Clients know themselves best, and Assumption 5: Positive goals are more effective than negative ones.

[Jamie Howerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book for counseling theory.