This session offers a practical solution for school psychologists who would like to provide more mental health services but lack sufficient time or training to do so. Brief solution-focused counseling is an evidence-based, culturally responsive approach that promotes rapid solutions to school-related social, emotional, and behavioral problems by helping students describe what they want from counseling services (desired outcomes) and apply what they have (exceptions and other resources) toward a better future. Participants will obtain practical skills in building collaborative relationships, asking useful questions, and applying other solution-focused techniques with students and others involved in school-based counseling. The workshop uses case examples, live and video demonstrations, experiential exercises, and other skill-building activities to help participants apply solution-focused skills and strategies the very next day on the job.

Workshop Objectives:

This session will help participants

1. describe a key difference between solution-focused and problem-focused counseling,
2. conduct brief counseling sessions on the fly in as little as 5 minutes when necessary,
3. identify what students want from counseling services (desired outcomes),
4. identify what students have to help them achieve desired outcomes (exceptions and other resources), and
5. ask solution-focused questions applicable to any student or school problem.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Knowledge of basic communication and counseling skills will be helpful but not necessary.

Practical Tools

Questions that help students and others describe what they want from services (desired outcomes). Questions that help students and others apply what they already have toward desired outcomes (what is already working and available in their lives). Techniques that foster collaborative relationships. Skills in asking solution-focused questions and formulating the next question based on people’s previous answer.