This study compares the counselor credibility of therapists who use problem-focused with those who use solution-focused language. Participants from two undergraduate classes at a southeastern state university were assigned to one of two eight-minute videotapes of a role-played family therapy session: problem-focused or solution-focused. This study is a posttest only quasi-experimental design. One group (N=35) viewed a videotape of a session that used solution-focused language. Another group (N=38) viewed a videotape of a session that used problem-focused language. The same therapist conducted both sessions and the same actors were used as the client couple. After viewing the videotape, participants rated the therapist's credibility (as measured by the Counselor Rating Form - Short Version), completed a Demographic Questionnaire and answered three open-ended questions. Two research questions were examined in this study: (1) Do potential clients perceive a therapist using solution-focused language as more attractive, experienced, trustworthy, and more credible than the same therapist using problem-focused language? (2) What other variables affect potential clients' view of the therapist? No significant differences in counselor credibility were found between the two groups. Three categories were discovered in the analysis of the open-ended questions: therapist characteristics, actions/skills of therapist, and other. When asked what they liked the most about the therapist, the majority of the participants' (86 percent) responses fell into the category of actions and skills of the therapist. When asked what they liked the least about the therapist, the majority of the participants' (64 percent) responses fell into the category of therapist characteristics. / Master of Science

No description available.

Thesis (MA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABTSRACT: The aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in a South African Youth Centre for young offenders, to which the court had sentenced them for two years. The study focused on the competencies and strengths of youth offenders, as well as on their capacity to find solutions to their problems, whilst being realistic and trying to accomplish positive change within the limits of the youth centre facility. An experimental and control group design was used in order to assess the impact of the therapeutic intervention. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated within three main domains of human experience: (1) subjective discomfort, (2) interpersonal relationships, and (3) social role performance. Two measures were used, namely the OQ-45.2 (outcome questionnaire) and unstandardised scaling questions relating to participants' personalised goals. Results show that no statistically significant improvement had occurred on the three measured dimensions. However, data obtained from the scaling questions reflected a more complete picture of the three areas of functioning identified and explored in this study. Improvement towards the achievement of young offenders' personalised goals seemed to be rapid at first, followed by a slightly slower rate of improvement and subsequent stabilisation. Scaling questions proved to be a useful technique for making complex aspects of these young offenders' lives more concrete and accessible to both the therapist and themselves. SFBT proved to be an effective method of intervention within group format in a facility for young offenders. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die navorsingsprojek was om die effektiwiteit van Oplossingsgerigte Terapie binne 'n Suid-Afrikaanse jeugsentrum vir jong oortreders, waartoe hulle vir twee jaar deur die hof gevonnis is, te evalueer. Hierdie studie se fokus was op die bevoegdhede en sterk punte van jeugdige oortreders, sowel as op hul vermoe om oplossings vir hul probleme te vind. Hierdie oogmerk was terselftertyd realisties in die poging om positiewe verandering binne die beperkinge van 'n jeugsentrum teweeg te bring. 'n Eksperimentele en kontrolegroepontwerp is gebruik om die impak van die terapeutiese intervensie te evalueer. Die effektiwiteit van die ingreep is ten opsigte van drie hoof areas wat verwant is aan menslike ervarings geevalueer: (1) subjektiewe ongemak, (2) interpersoonlike verhoudings, en (3) sosiale rolvervulling. Twee meetinstrumente is gebruik, naamlik die UV-45.2 (uitkomste vraelys) en ongestandaardiseerde skaleringsvrae wat verwant was aan deelnemers se persoonlike doelstellings. Resultate het getoon dat geen beduidende statistiese verbetering in die drie dimensies plaasgevind het nie. Data wat egter deur die stel van skaleringsvrae ingewin is, het 'n meer volledige beeld van die drie areas van funksionering wat in die studie geYdentifiseer en verken is, gereflekteer. Dit blyk dat die verbetering in die jong oortreders se persoonlike doelstellings aanvanklik vinnig geskied het, en gevolg is deur 'n effense stadiger tempo van verbetering en stabilisering. Volgens die navorsingstudie blyk dit dat skaleringsvrae 'n baie suksesvolle tegniek kan wees om komplekse aspekte van hierdie jong oortreders se lewens vir beide die terapeut en hulself meer konkreet en meer bereikbaar te maak. Dit blyk ook dat Oplossingsgerigte Terapie 'n effektiewe intervensiemetode binne groepformaat in 'n inrigting vir jong oortreders is.

This study examined the perceptions of elementary school counselors regarding their experience in using solution-focused brief counseling for meeting the demanding responsibilities of their job and the particular needs of the students they serve. Specifically, the four research questions addressed the school counselors' perceptions regarding: (1) use and importance of particular solution-focused techniques; (2) effectiveness of solution-focused strategies in addressing specific student issues; (3) training in solution-focused brief counseling; and (4) use of this approach in settings other than the counseling office. The data for this study were collected from elementary school counselors in Virginia who had previously received training in solution-focused brief counseling. This training was provided by their school systems as inservice and was conducted by the same workshop leader in all instances. The school counselors were sent a questionnaire that was developed by the researcher. The survey contained a selection of Likert-style scale questions, yes/no items, rank-order items, and open-ended questions. The final section contained questions designed to obtain demographic information about the respondent and the school and students they served. The researcher conducted a follow-up interview with several school counselors to supplement the survey data. The data analysis was descriptive and relational in nature. The findings of the study indicate that elementary school counselors who have received training in solution-focused brief counseling philosophies and techniques find it important and useful for working with children. The majority of the school counselors indicated that they use all of the solution-focused techniques listed in the survey to at least some degree. Their responses to the survey indicated the perception that this approach is effective with various student issues. The school counselors reported the perception that they have some proficiency with solution focused brief counseling and that they have interest in pursuing more training. The school counselors also indicated that they were able to use solution-focused brief counseling philosophies in school settings other than the counseling office. In summary, school counselors appear to have a relatively positive perception of solution-focused brief counseling as an approach for working with elementary age school students. Recommendations for practice and future research are presented. / Ph. D.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

No description available.

No description available.

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Thesis (M Ed.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. / Bibliography: p. 65-71.

Thesis (D.Min.)--Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, 2010. / Title from dissertation title page (viewed Jun. 24, 2010). Includes abstract. "A project report and thesis submitted to the Faculty of Brite Divinity School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry." Includes bibliographical references.