Solution-Focused Brief Therapy claims to be a (conceptually) simple approach; however, attempts t... more Solution-Focused Brief Therapy claims to be a (conceptually) simple approach; however, attempts to define the approach are not simple. This paper suggests that, with the rise of "strengths-based" and resilience approaches, it has been easy for the definition of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to become diluted or broadened almost to the point of meaninglessness. The paper explores some of the issues in constructing a definition of the approach and suggests some necessary characteristics.
This paper argues that most “traditional” models of residential care of irresponsible adolescents... more This paper argues that most “traditional” models of residential care of irresponsible adolescents ignore the context within which adolescents and their families make sense of placement. The meaning of placement is often one that exacerbates feelings of failure and removes responsibility from the family. The role of context in determining meaning is discussed, and a contextual model presented which seeks to place residential care within a context of success and responsibility. Placement is seen as a rite of passage, which marks the change of context to one in which the family is able to stand up to the problem together. Principles of cybernetic family therapy are used to construct a new description for the placement and a discussion of how every aspect of placement relates to this description follows. The paper uses the case of a twelve-year-old who entered placement for “intensive itch-fighting training” to illustrate the model.
The therapeutic process has, historically,been one dominated by various differentviews and theori... more The therapeutic process has, historically,been one dominated by various differentviews and theories of how mental distressoccurs and how it can be ameliorated(Marks, 2012). Whatever our therapeuticapproach or orientation, our jobs existbecause people have difficulties of varioussorts. Therefore, it is hardly surprising thatour field has been dominated by ideasabout problems, pathology, dysfunctionand so on. One of the significant eventsin the last few years was the release ofthe 5th Edition of the Diagnostic andStatistical Manual of Mental Disordersby the American Psychiatric Association.Even professional commentators in Indiasuggest that, although it is primarily anAmerican document, the “impact [ofthe DSM-5] will be felt far beyond theboundaries of psychiatry and that of theUnited States of America” (Jacob et.al.,2013).
APA PsycNET Our Apologies! - The following features are not available with your current Browser c... more APA PsycNET Our Apologies! - The following features are not available with your current Browser configuration. - alerts user that their session is about to expire - display, print, save, export, and email selected records - get My ...
This paper argues that most "traditional" models of residential care of irresponsible adolescents... more This paper argues that most "traditional" models of residential care of irresponsible adolescents ignore the context within which adolescents and their families make sense of placement. The meaning of placement is often one that exacerbates feelings of failure and removes responsibility from the family. The role of context in determining meaning is discussed, and a contextual model presented which seeks to place residential care within a context of success and responsibility. Placement is seen as a rite of passage, which marks the change of context to one in which the family is able to stand up to the problem together. Principles of cybernetic family therapy are used to construct a new description for the placement and a discussion of how every aspect of placement relates to this description follows. The paper uses the case of a twelve-year-old who entered placement for 'intensive itch-fighting training" to illustrate the model.
Hardly over a year ago I interviewed Insoo about the recent loss of her colleague and life partne... more Hardly over a year ago I interviewed Insoo about the recent loss of her colleague and life partner Steve de Shazer as part of a special tribute remembering him, which would be published in Journal of Systemic Therapies. It's hard to believe that we are now publishing this tribute to Insoo ...
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy claims to be a (conceptually) simple approach; however, attempts t... more Solution-Focused Brief Therapy claims to be a (conceptually) simple approach; however, attempts to define the approach are not simple. This paper suggests that, with the rise of "strengths-based" and resilience approaches, it has been easy for the definition of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to become diluted or broadened almost to the point of meaninglessness. The paper explores some of the issues in constructing a definition of the approach and suggests some necessary characteristics.
This paper argues that most “traditional” models of residential care of irresponsible adolescents... more This paper argues that most “traditional” models of residential care of irresponsible adolescents ignore the context within which adolescents and their families make sense of placement. The meaning of placement is often one that exacerbates feelings of failure and removes responsibility from the family. The role of context in determining meaning is discussed, and a contextual model presented which seeks to place residential care within a context of success and responsibility. Placement is seen as a rite of passage, which marks the change of context to one in which the family is able to stand up to the problem together. Principles of cybernetic family therapy are used to construct a new description for the placement and a discussion of how every aspect of placement relates to this description follows. The paper uses the case of a twelve-year-old who entered placement for “intensive itch-fighting training” to illustrate the model.
The therapeutic process has, historically,been one dominated by various differentviews and theori... more The therapeutic process has, historically,been one dominated by various differentviews and theories of how mental distressoccurs and how it can be ameliorated(Marks, 2012). Whatever our therapeuticapproach or orientation, our jobs existbecause people have difficulties of varioussorts. Therefore, it is hardly surprising thatour field has been dominated by ideasabout problems, pathology, dysfunctionand so on. One of the significant eventsin the last few years was the release ofthe 5th Edition of the Diagnostic andStatistical Manual of Mental Disordersby the American Psychiatric Association.Even professional commentators in Indiasuggest that, although it is primarily anAmerican document, the “impact [ofthe DSM-5] will be felt far beyond theboundaries of psychiatry and that of theUnited States of America” (Jacob et.al.,2013).
APA PsycNET Our Apologies! - The following features are not available with your current Browser c... more APA PsycNET Our Apologies! - The following features are not available with your current Browser configuration. - alerts user that their session is about to expire - display, print, save, export, and email selected records - get My ...
This paper argues that most "traditional" models of residential care of irresponsible adolescents... more This paper argues that most "traditional" models of residential care of irresponsible adolescents ignore the context within which adolescents and their families make sense of placement. The meaning of placement is often one that exacerbates feelings of failure and removes responsibility from the family. The role of context in determining meaning is discussed, and a contextual model presented which seeks to place residential care within a context of success and responsibility. Placement is seen as a rite of passage, which marks the change of context to one in which the family is able to stand up to the problem together. Principles of cybernetic family therapy are used to construct a new description for the placement and a discussion of how every aspect of placement relates to this description follows. The paper uses the case of a twelve-year-old who entered placement for 'intensive itch-fighting training" to illustrate the model.
Hardly over a year ago I interviewed Insoo about the recent loss of her colleague and life partne... more Hardly over a year ago I interviewed Insoo about the recent loss of her colleague and life partner Steve de Shazer as part of a special tribute remembering him, which would be published in Journal of Systemic Therapies. It's hard to believe that we are now publishing this tribute to Insoo ...
Uploads
Papers by Michael Durrant