Solution focused hypnotherapy was developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg in the 1970s. It is future-focused, goal-directed, client-centred with a focus on solutions, rather than on the problems that prompt clients to seek therapy.
Clients are often surprised that we don’t need to hear about the problem nor do we engage in any analysis of the root cause of the problem. Instead we focus on the exceptions to the problem, those times and situations in which the client managed to cope but has often overlooked.
By encouraging the client to focus on the exceptions and his or her own resourcefulness which made the exceptions possible we are not only validating them but also enabling them to talk about themselves and perceive themselves in a more positive and empowering way; often people see themselves only in terms of their problem rather than as a person who has experienced a problem at certain times.
Asking the client to identify which of his or her existing, or previous resources he or she could use to take a next small step forward, encourages him or her to own their own solutions as they are the expert in themselves. It further serves to develop a future-oriented focus away from a past and problem-oriented focus. Even a small step towards a goal releases positive chemicals whereas focusing on the past and on a problem leads to negative thinking which shrinks our ability to perceive possibilities and solutions.
The hypnotherapy part of the session begins with a progressive muscle relaxation because the brain follows the body; it continues with guided visualisation using solution focused language and indirect suggestions. EEGs (Electroencephalography) illustrates that in the relaxed ‘trance’ state there less activity of problem-focused beta waves and increased activity of solution-focused alpha waves.
In between sessions clients are asked to listen to a relaxation/hypnotherapy mp3 to reduce anxiety and stress and thereby facilitate a mindset that is increasingly solution focused. Each week even the smallest step forward is recorded and validated. Solution focused therapy is now being used in hospitals with cancer patients to help with anxiety as well as patients with chronic pain, it can help with phobias, breaking negative habits, relationship difficulties, depression and stress as well a psychosomatic illnesses; it has applications to the world of sports performance both on a professional and amateur level as well as to the business world in terms of problem solving and confidence building.