In one of my very rare moments of actually doing online research trying to find some articles of interest to share at work, I ended up on the third page of Google after typing in “solution oriented” or something to that effect.  Imagine my surprise when after landing on the 3rd page down on Google and clicking through two more layers in an article, I arrived at Solution Focused Counseling featuring Stephanie Johnson out of Australia.  I found the information included on her website very intriguing and have included some of it below.  As I continued reading, I was almost in shock as I found, at the bottom of one of her pages, the information that she is a supporter of the A21 Campaign which was founded by one of my most favorite Christian “Satan-butt-kicking Chicks” (her words, not mine) Christine Caine.  Yep, couldn’t believe my eyes that one of her videos is actually included at the bottom of one of Stephanie’s pages.  What are the chances that someone like me who absolutely avoids doing any kind of online research would land on a website located 5-6 pages deep that included the very person who’s sex-trafficking campaign I have followed for the past 3-4 years???  All I know is that God can always manage to lead us to stuff even when we have no idea what is up.  I’m contemplating the idea of sending both Stephanie and Christine a note asking each of them if they know each other.  I would bet that they do and if not, I think it might be time they introduce themselves.

I hope you enjoy Stephanie’s Solution Focused Counseling as much as I have:

What is Solution Focused Counselling?

Solution focused counselling focuses on solutions rather than the problems themselves. As such it highlights people’s strengths and competences instead of their perceived deficits, weaknesses and limitations.

This shift in paradigm is dramatically different from previous counselling techniques that concentrated on identifying problems and trying to explain their origins. Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg were the founders of solution focused therapy in the 1980′s both were based in USA. Sadly both have pass away  recently.

There are several assumptions that provide the framework of solution focused counselling.

• All people have strengths and inner resources to solve life’s challenges.
• “Change is one of life’s constants”. Not only is change possible it is always happening.
• The counsellor’s role in the therapy session is to help each client identify the change that is occurring and to help them increase that level of change.
• We do not need to know what caused a problem to be able to solve it.
• Change begins with small steps
• The client is the expert in their life.
• The person is not the problem, the problem is the problem
• If its not working, do something different

What are the benefits and potential risks of Solution Focused Counselling? The primary benefit of solution focused counselling is that the client finds solutions to their problems. This can result in a reduction in the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression and interpersonal relationships may improve. Another benefit of solution focused counselling is that the client and counsellor identify clear goals at the start. As a result of this the client and counsellor will both know what success looks like and therefore can easily identify when counselling is no longer required.

This is the information on Stephanie’s site regarding A21:

Solutionfocusedcounselling.com supports The A21 Campaign, freeing women and children from  abuse and oppression. Can you join me?

“When confronted with the statistics, the issue of human trafficking can be overwhelming to say the least. It’s true… “someone SHOULD do something,” so we have decided to take responsibility and put our hand up… if for no other reason than just because we have a hand to raise and a heart that’s willing to make a difference. We have decided to become that “someone.” This is why we created The A21 Campaign. We can ALL play a part in fighting injustice… it is the only way we can win.

The A21 Campaign stands for abolishing injustice in the 21st century. Anyone can join – everyone can make a difference. To find out how you can join the fight for justice click on the video below or go to the website, www.thea21campaign.org

Click to play video