Toward a Synergistic Version of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Enhanced Efficacy through the Body and Emotion

A number of prominent solution-focused brief therapists have expressed the view that, to its detriment, this school of therapy tends to downplay emotion. Accordingly, we contend that, given that emotion is a primal binding force, the bonding component of the crucially important therapeutic alliance risks being compromised in the current practice of this approach. We further argue that the prioritization of the depiction of actions that accompany the emotion expressed by the client over the actual participation in this emotion by the therapist tends to superficialize therapeutic communication. This is especially likely to happen when the therapist lapses into a formulaic, action-soliciting interrogatory mode in response to the emotion expressed by the client. In addition, we claim that the incorporation of emotion- and body-based approaches into the solution-focused canon could remedy the affective lacuna referred to above. We note, however, that such a modification would most likely face stiff resistance from some of the gatekeepers of solution-faced therapy, in particular those who subscribe to the “surface-only” descriptive approach advocated by the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. And yet, the effectiveness of depth-oriented therapies, such as sensorimotor psychotherapy and somatic experiencing, is supported by neurophysiological considerations. Finally, we suggest that these therapies, and even creativogenic elements of psychoanalysis, can actually synergize solution-focused brief therapy through the generation of affect-laden images, sensations and thoughts that lend themselves to the realization of outcomes desired by the client, which is the raison d’etre of solution-focused brief therapy. This paper pleads for the incorporation of the above-noted depth approaches into solution-focused brief therapy with a view to augmenting its effectiveness through a stronger therapeutic bond owing to an increased emotional engagement on the part of the therapist.

Impact of solution-focused brief therapy and vacuum sealing drainage on mental health of wound care patients

BACKGROUND Improving mental health is crucial for patients who require wound treatment.AIM To analyze the effects of solution-focused brief therapy(SFBT)combined with vacuum sealing drainage on the psychological health of patients undergoing wound treatment,providing a basis for selecting wound treatment protocols.METHODS A total of 102 patients undergoing wound treatment were included,with the study period from March 2020 to March 2024.Sex was not a factor,and patients were randomly assigned to two groups of 51 cases each.The control group received negative pressure wound therapy(NPWT),while the experimental group received NPWT plus SFBT.The recovery of wounds,granulation tissue scores,and psychological health levels were compared between the two groups.Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Windows software version 26.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0.RESULTS Post-treatment,the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,white blood cell count,and lactate dehydrogenase in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The two groups had no significant difference in granulation tissue scores(P<0.05).The psychological health level in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The combination of SFBT and NPWT accelerates wound healing,promotes granulation tissue growth,and improves psychological well-being,making it a valuable approach for clinical application.