“Blundo and Simon have successfully outlined how a solution-focused perspective can be a powerful tool for case managers. Their understanding and presentation is based upon practice scenarios that are real and applied…They clearly demonstrate the impact of ‘thinking and language’ and the importance of building a collaborative relationship with clients. Their work challenges the traditional theory-driven interventions that focus on problems and arrive at a diagnosis . They encourage a ‘shift’ to a co-constructive partnership that requires a practitioner to respect that clients are ‘experts of their own lives’…They provide a clear step-wise discussion of techniques and strategies that can be employed working with individuals and families in case management settings. This book is a must read.”
–Lawrence T. Force, Ph D. LCSW-R
Professor of Psychology, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY
From the Foreword
Solution-focused practice is a paradigm that stresses client abilities, strengths, and individual goals rather than disability. Written by a team of educator/practitioners noted for their expertise in solution-focused therapy, this “how-to” text for social work, counseling, and psychology students guides current and future case managers in learning this strengths-based, collaborative approach to case management. It discusses both the philosophical basis for solution-focused casework and demonstrates how it is ideally suited for the case management process. The book is based on teaching materials the authors have developed and used in their classes and workshops with undergraduate and graduate students and professionals.
The text incorporates new research and theoretical developments in solution-focused therapy as well as actual practice scenarios demonstrating the process of building a collaborative relationship with individual clients and families. Replete with strategies and tools for practicing solution-focused case management, the text describes such essential skills as identifying goals, monitoring progress, working with other agencies, and transitioning out of treatment. It discusses issues related to ethical practice and presents strategies for self-care. Additionally, the book addresses diversity and social justice and their relationships to solution-focused practice. Student exercises help to reinforce knowledge. The text will assist case managers in a variety of settings—hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, community-based mental health agencies, schools, prisons, court systems, and shelters for the homeless and victims of domestic violence—to partner with their clients towards finding strengths-based and solution-focused approaches to resolving issues in a positive way.
Key Features:
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Authored by noted experts in solution-focused education and practice
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Facilitates a reframing of casework and case management around client strengths and resources
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Provides specific case examples that allow readers to troubleshoot and apply solution-focused principles to practice
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Includes student exercises throughout the book
Table of Content
Contents
Foreword by Lawrence T. Force, Ph D, LCSW-R
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. SOLUTION-FOCUSED CASE MANAGEMENT: DEFINITIONS AND MEANINGS
Shifting Into New Ideas
Conclusion
2. CHALLENGING OUR ASSUMPTIONS
Convergent Development of Seminal Concepts Inherent in Solution-Focused Practice
Solution-Focused Assumptions
Conclusion
3. SOLUTION-BUILDING IN CASE MANAGEMENT
Exercise: Differences Between Solution-Building and Problem-Solving Processes
The Problems With Problem Talk
Conversation as the Tool for Change
Learning to Listen
Steps to Developing a Useful Conversation: An Overview
The National Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery
Promoting Social Justice
4. SOLUTION FOCUS: ITS HISTORY AND PRACTICE
A Brief History of Solution-Focused Practice
How Clients and Case Managers Make Meaning Together: Wittgenstein and Language Games
What Happens After Clients and Case Managers Say “Hello”: Forming Solution-Focused Collaborative Partnerships
Listening to Clients
An Introduction to Solution-Focused Skills and Processes
Making a Difference
An Introduction to the Solution-Focused Intervention Tools
The Second Session and Beyond: E.A.R.S.
Exercise: Trying Out the Ideas
5. EXPANDING ON COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND GOAL FORMATION
Cocreating Useful Conversations With Clients
Remember the Solution-Focused Values When Working With Clients
Every Client Is a Customer for Something
Solution-Focused Assumptions
Coconstructing Useful Goals With Clients
6. SOLUTION-FOCUSED PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT
Solution-Focused Brief Practice Begins With the Details of Clients’ Stated Goals
Assessments as Interventions
Strengths-Based Assessments
Useful Solution-Building Planning Questions
7. WORKING WITH CLIENTS AND OTHER AGENCIES
Further Thoughts About Problem Talk
Forming Partnerships With Clients and Agencies
Client–Case Manager Collaboration
Engaging Other Agencies in Solution Building
8. KEEPING IT BRIEF: MONITORING PROGRESS, OUTCOMES, AND TRANSITIONS OUT OF SERVICE
Scaling Progress
Is the Relationship Working for the Client? Monitoring Progress Toward the Goal
Transitioning to a Different Level of Service
9. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR CASE MANAGERS
Evidence-Based Practice Versus Practice-Based Evidence
A Review of What Works: An Important Reminder
Outcomes Management
Diversity, Social Justice, and Solution-Focused Brief Practice
Case Managers Need to Take Care of Themselves
Moral and Ethical Issues
10. A REVIEW OF THE MAIN SOLUTION-FOCUSED CONCEPTS
Social Constructionism
The Three Rules of Solution-Focused Practice
Not-Knowing Stance
Solution-Focused Assumptions
Goals
Customership
The Seven Solution-Building Tools
Second Session and Beyond
Final Words
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
References
Index
About the author
Joel Simon, MSW, ACSW, BCD, is in private practice and provides solution-focused training, supervision, and consultation through the Center for Solution-Focused Training.
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