This award-winning text translates the theoretical foundations of solution-focused counseling into a brief, culturally responsive approach for school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and graduate students. As an experienced practitioner and international presenter on this topic, Dr. Murphy has organized the fourth edition to reflect content offered in a comprehensive workshop on solution-focused counseling to further enhance its usefulness and presents a straightforward process for building practical solutions to some of the most challenging cases experienced in school settings.
Text features include a variety of real-life examples and dialogues with preschool-12 students, experiential activities and practice exercises, and appendixes with tools and templates for putting solution-focused counseling into immediate action. Chapters new to this edition cover developmental considerations and creative adaptations for working with children and adolescents, methods to explore progress in solution-focused work, and frequently asked questions.
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Part One: The Basics
Chapter 1: Introduction and Illustration
Chapter 2: The Big Picture
Chapter 3: Counselor Role and Techniques
Chapter 4: Developmental Considerations and Adaptations
Part Two: The Process
Chapter 5: Setting a Direction
Chapter 6: Building on Exceptions
Chapter 7: Building on Client Resources
Chapter 8: Exploring Progress
Part Three: The Rest
Chapter 9: Other Applications
Chapter 10: Empirical, Conceptual, and Professional Support
Chapter 11: Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 12: Putting It Into Action
References
Appendix A: Solution-Focused Questions
Appendix B: Crib Sheets for First and Later Sessions
Appendix C: Outcome and Session Rating Scales From the Partners for Change
Outcome Management System (PCOMS)
Appendix D: Implementing PCOMS in Schools: Rationale, Guidelines, and
Examples
Appendix E: Letters and Documents for Empowering Progress
Appendix F: Instructions for Self-Modeling
Appendix G: Solution-Focused Items for Referral Forms
Appendix H: Additional Learning and Networking Resources
Index
John J. Murphy, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and professor of psychology and counseling at the University of Central Arkansas. He received his PhD in school psychology from the University of Cincinnati and completed postdoctoral work with Dr. Barry Duncan at the Dayton Institute for Family Therapy. Dr. Murphy has worked in urban, rural, and suburban schools as a teacher, school psychologist, and mental health consultant. He continues to work with students and caregivers and provides training and consultation for state associations, school districts, and other agencies throughout the United States and overseas. He received the American School Counselor Associations Best Book of the Year award for the 1997 edition of Solution-Focused Counseling in Schools (American Counseling Association) and was named one of the top five school psychologists in the United States by the National Association of School Psychologists. His books have been translated into multiple languages, and his work has been featured in counseling textbooks, the New York Times bestseller Switch, Fast Company magazine, and the DVD training series Child Therapy With the Experts.
Dr. Murphy is a consultant and trainer for the North American Chinese Psychological Association and a project director with the Heart and Soul of Change Project, an international research/advocacy group that promotes respectful, client-directed services for underrepresented persons and groups. He is a popular keynote and workshop speaker who has met with thousands of mental health professionals, teachers, and parents throughout the world. His workshops are known for their practicality and passion for helping people change with dignity.
