Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

What is emphasized in Solution-Focused Therapy?

1. Individual characteristics

2. Family history and dynamics

3. Client's positive attributes and past successes

4. Emotional struggles of the client

The correct answer is: Client's positive attributes and past successes

Solution-Focused Therapy primarily emphasizes the client's positive attributes and past successes as a means to facilitate change and foster hope. This approach is based on the belief that clients have the resources and resilience necessary to solve their own problems, and it focuses on envisioning a preferred future rather than delving deeply into problems or past issues. In this therapeutic model, counselors help clients identify instances where they have successfully managed their challenges, reinforcing their confidence and capability. By concentrating on strengths and successful experiences, clients are encouraged to replicate those positive behaviors and create practical solutions to their current difficulties. This emphasis creates a more optimistic and empowering environment, allowing clients to see their potential for change. While individual characteristics, family history, and emotional struggles can play important roles in therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy strategically shifts attention away from these aspects to highlight what is working well in a client’s life. This forward-looking perspective distinguishes it from other therapeutic modalities that may focus more on understanding problems in depth.