Solution-Focused Approach. In a solution-focused approach, the therapist seeks positive exceptions or differences to a specific problem. Thus, the client in the therapeutic session is focused on working towards a goal. As the therapist and client are focused on a goal and positive outcomes, the information from the session will lead to change (Fitzgerald & Leudar, 2010). In a solution-focused approach, problems are not emphasized. The therapist's role is to help the client discover his or her internal strengths and resources. The therapist operates under the assumption that the client has the internal resources to make the change that he or she wants to make. The therapist views the client as a person with challenges rather than having problems or symptoms (Fitzgerald & Leudar, 2010). The therapists will work to help the client understand that he or she has coping skills to solve his or her problems or change his or her behavior. The emphasis is on finding solutions rather than talking about the problems.
Client-Centered (or Person-Centered) Approach. The person-centered approach popularized by Carl Rogers emphasized the centrality of the therapeutic alliance, i.e., the relationship between the client and the therapist. Rogers renamed the client-centered therapy approach to emphasize the client over the nondirective method (Corey, 2005). According to Corey (2005), this period was also characterized by a shift from the emphasis on feelings to the phenomenological world of the client. For instance, the underlying basic assumption of client-centered therapy is that the human person has a natural tendency by which to discover his or her own potential. This actualizing tendency is described as the inherent inclination to develop the capacity to become self-reliant. Research is presented to summarize the client-centered approach as psychotherapy to be regarded as an ethical phenomenon that involves a profound responsibility and obligation in which fellow humans expect to provide services to one another (Cornelius-White, 2008). Basic tenets in client-centered therapy that embrace humanistic theories include: (a) striving toward an inner goal, (b) acceptance as significant in human life, and (c) the ability to change the course of one’s life. Thus, a primary goal of the client-centered therapist is that the human person has a natural tendency by which to discover his or her own potential.
Cognitive Approach. The cognitive approach is focused on thought processes and factors that play a central role in understanding and treating emotional problems. The cognitive approach may combine cognitive and behavioral principles in a short-term treatment approach. The cognitive approaches share several attributes, including (a) a collaborative relationship between client and therapist, (b) the premise that psychological distress is a function of disturbances in cognitive processes, (c) a focus on changing cognitions to produce desired changes in affect and behavior, and (d) focus on specific and structured target problems. Interventions focused on behavior modification and behavioral and cognitive approaches are often integrated into many interventions, such as Rational Emotive Therapy (Ellis, 1987). A key strength of cognitive behavioral therapy is that it is eclectic psychotherapy, the client can be presented with different tools to alter thinking, and the therapy can be integrated with other approaches (Archer & McCarthy, 2007). In addition, a working alliance is stressed between the therapist and the client. Clients are active and informed, and responsible for the direction of the therapeutic outcome. A weakness of cognitive therapy is that it is confrontational. According to Corey (2005), some clients may have trouble with a confrontational approach if the therapist has not earned his or her respect and trust. Another limitation is that it has limitations for multicultural approaches. For instance, cognitive stress explores core values and beliefs. Some clients may have a problem with a confrontational challenge to their core values and cultural beliefs (Corey, 2005).
Archer, J., & McCarthy, C. J. (2007). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Contemporary applications. Pearson Education.
Corey, G. (2005). Theories and practice of counseling & psychotherapy (7th ed.). Brooks/Cole/Thomas Learning.
Cornelius-White, J. H. D. (2008). Reexamination of Rogers (1959) collection of theories on the person-centered approach. Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies, 7(3), 201-208. https://doi.org/10.1080/14779757.2008.9688465
Ellis, A. (1987). The evolution of rational-emotive therapy (RET) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). In J. K. Zeig (Ed.). The evolution of psychotherapy. Brunner/Mazell.
Fitzgerald, P., & Leudar, I. (2010). On active listening in person-centered solution-focused psychotherapy. Journal of Pragmatics, 42(12), 3188-3198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2010.07.007