Just 14 words

As part of my work and interest in Solution Focused practice I set myself a challenge of describing a Solution Focused approach using the most minimal amount of words I could. I wanted to capture the essence of the use of language, the simplicity, elegance and focus.

A simple and elegant approach to creating a preferred future by utilising inherent resources.

I've managed to use just 14 words whereby on the surface look at 3 particular areas:

1. There is a renowned simplicity in the use of questioning styles and the minimal theory or non theory SF practice requires, the focus on the 3 priniciples, if it works do more, if it doesn't do something different if it isn't broken don't fix it!
2. Creating a preferred future captures the use of the approach to help people develop meaningful and acceptable changes in their life
3. Utilising inherent resources describes one of the basic assumptions of SF which is that people are resourceful and competent beings, no matter what the situation.


If we look deeper inside these 3 phrases form the sentence we get a glimpse of the true mechanisms of the change process of the approach. Starting with the word simple echoes a reduction to some basic level , this reflects the move away from pathology from structuralism and theory, however the reader may need to explore the meaning further, whats simple to some may not be to others, it may take some time to "be simple in a complicated world" initially to some simple may not equal sufficient.

Elegance is the attribute of being unusually effective and simple (wikipedia), which serve to strengthen the idea that SFA has an air of tastefulness. The approach or momentum initiated enables the client to create new meaning through language and action. This creation leads to a future based on the preference dictated by the client based on their own experiences and world view. The word utilising is so important as it refers to the use of something rather than being given something, the principle that the clients expertise is tapped into is signified here. This expertise is seen as an inbuilt inherent nature of beings that is used by the client and helper as a powerful resource that the person has at hand at all times.