| Traditional approach to trauma |
Solution-focused approach to trauma |
|
| Therapist is the expert, gives advice to client |
Client is the expert, therapist asks questions |
| Therapist's theory of change |
Client's theory of change |
| Conversations about what the client does not want (the problem) |
Conversations about what the client does want instead of the problem |
| Client is viewed as damaged (deficit model): how is the client affected by the traumatic experiences? |
Client is viewed as influenced but not determined, having strengths and abilities (resource model): how did the client respond to the traumatic experiences? |
| Clients are (sometimes) seen as unmotivated |
Clients are always motivated (although their goal may differ from that of the therapist) |
| Remembering and expressing affect are goals of treatment |
Goals are individualized for each client and do not necessarily involve remembering and expressing affect |
| Interpretation |
Acknowledgement, validation, and conversations about possibilities |
| Past and problem focused |
Future and solution focused |
| Problem is always there |
Exceptions to the problem are always there |
| Long-term treatment |
Variable/individualized length of treatment |
| Coping mechanisms need to be learned |
Coping mechanisms are already present |
| Conversations focusing on insight and working through the problem |
Conversations focusing on accountability and action; insight may come during or after treatment |
| Sometimes feedback from client at end of therapy |
Feedback from client after every session |
| Therapist defines end of treatment |
Client defines end of treatment |
| Success is defined as the lessening or ending of the problem |
Success is defined as the expansion of what the client wants instead of the problem and reaching the preferred future |
