Solution Focused Therapy Theory

Compare and Contrast Behavior Theory and Solution-Focused Therapy

This assignment is an attempt to discuss two different theories of Behavior Theory and Solution-Focused Therapy from the text book “Theories for Direct Social Work Practice” by Joseph Walsh.

The Behavior Theory has continued to build on “how humans’ actions and emotions developed, are sustained, and are extinguished through principles of learning (Walsh, 2013).”

While Solution-focused therapy is a combination of ideas from other theories, such as cognitive, communication, and crisis intervention. “It’s focus is of helping clients identify and amplify their strengths and resources toward the goal of finding solutions to presenting problems (Walsh, 2013).”

Major concepts of behavior

theory are “behavior is what a person does, thinks, or feels that can be observed (Walsh, 2013).” By nature people are motivated to seek pleasure not pain buy learning from their mistakes and watching others. Behavior can be changed by measurable indicators. Reinforcement or punishments interventions should be consistent and prompt for rapid change. Behaviors subject to reinforcement principles are thoughts and feelings. The preferred explanations for behavior or the simplest (Walsh, 2013).
Major concepts of solution-focused therapy is “Grand theories” do not matter. Language is the power house that can shape a person’s reality is it destructive or constructive. The emphasis is on solution talk to focus on the solution, act and think differently. “This idea is consistent with the systems perspective that any change reverberates through a system, affecting every other element (Walsh, 2013).”
In the nature of problems and change behavior theory, behavior can be influenced by learning which can include classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and modeling. Behavior is developed by a person’s unique reinforcement schedules. A child fighting at school his peer group reinforces this by his enhanced status. Reinforcement feedback in encourages or discourages behavior. To discourage the child punishment such as taking video games away. The intervention is consistent and prompt so that the more desirable behaviors will result (Walsh, 2013).
The solution-focused therapy assumes, “that people want to change, are suggestible, and have the capability to develop new and existing resources to solve their problems (Walsh, 2013).” All change whether small or large is equally significant and is facilitated by the ability to learn and develop solutions to problems see the exceptions and become more aware of strengths and resources, to learn to think and act differently (Walsh, 2013).
Assessment and intervention in the behavior theory the social worker asks question during assessment which help the Client to identify problem situations in environmental, social, physical, cognitive, and emotional. Questions, such as how, when, what, who, where will be asked to help identify all aspects. At which point the intervention of working out the steps required to change behaviors are specified. Plans are made to minimize obstacles to goals. Positive consequences for new behaviors that will reward not punish positive changes. The intervention ends when the client demonstrates goal maintenance and then the ending intervention is fading in behavioral theory (Walsh, 2013).
In the solution-focused therapy the social worker ask the Client what the presenting problem is and the intended goals and how they can help.

Then start to develop goals by finding out what they think is helping and what is not and are they willing to invest the time and effort by using the scaling exercise. The social worker with asks strengths-reinforcing coping questions how, what, and has. The Client is encouraged to define their goals from the start where the social worker may present and alternate perspective are to ask the miracle question. Answers to this question can provide indicators of change to be used. “All task are interventions are intended to encourage the client to think and behave differently with regard to the presenting problem than has been typical in the past (Walsh, 2013).” The formal first-session is the assignment of observing the good the client would like to continue in their life and maybe get the client thinking about exceptions. Second the surprise task surprising another person connected with the problem in a good way “shake up” in the clients’ routine and influence positive behavior. The ending is worked on from the start of intervention, where progress is monitored at each session that might be the last. Where the focus is on helping clients identify strategies to maintain and continue the momentum of enacting solutions.

Behavior theory and solution-focused therapy both focus on behavior changes. Behavior theory the therapist and client break problems down and in the solution-focused therapy the client knows their life and the therapist will ask what seem like curiosity

questions.