In the case of Gwen, the therapist uses such interventions as scaling, exception, and miracle questions to help the client think about her resources and strengths rather than her problems. Solution-focused brief therapy is a time-limited counseling approach that focuses on finding solutions to present problems instead of dwelling on the details of the issue (Caddel, 2021). In the given scenario, the counselor emphasizes the client’s ability to find a solution to her challenge. As a result, the therapeutic questions allow Gwen to assess the pressure of her work assignments, discuss her strengths, and determine the possible ways to resolve the problem.
In my view, the application of the miracle question is essential for Gwen as it highlights future possibilities to address her anxiety and stress issues. This intervention is central to solution-focused brief therapy because it can help clients imagine the desired outcomes and identify specific steps to achieve them (De Shazer et al., 2021). The miracle question is used to enable Gwen to understand what her preferred future and experiences are and set goals accordingly. The client determines that she needs to reduce stomach aches, have fewer responsibilities at work, and lead a balanced and more relaxed life.
As a result of the miracle question intervention, Gwen determines the number of steps she should take to achieve her goal. In particular, she decides to reduce her stress levels through prayer and stretching exercises. These methods can assist the client with eliminating anxiety and stomachache caused by it. Furthermore, Gwen realizes that she should resign from one of the committees to decrease her workload and have more time for herself and her family. Overall, solution-focused brief therapy can be used to address specific concerns in a timely manner.
References
Caddel, J. (2021). What is solution-focused brief therapy?Verywell Mind. Web.
De Shazer, S., Dolan, Y., Korman, H., Trepper, T., McCollum, E., & Berg, I. K. (2021). More than miracles: The state of the art of solution-focused brief therapy (2nd ed.). Routledge.