Identifying Solution-Building Formulations Through Microanalysis

Abstract

Evaluating therapeutic language is essential to understanding the implementation of therapeutic models. Solution-focused brief therapy places particular emphasis on the importance of language in therapeutic change. This study built on Korman, Bavelas, and De Jong's (2013) microanalysis of formulations (i.e., paraphrases or summaries of clients' contributions) and on Jordan, Froerer, and Bavelas's (2013) microanalysis of positive versus negative content. Combining these analyses created a microanalysis of positive versus negative content in the formulations of three SFBT experts. The results revealed how these experts created solution-building formulations that implemented two key principles of the SFBT model: the content of their formulations was more likely to be positive than negative, and they preserved the client's language more often in their positive than in their negative formulations. The step-by-step analysis presented here demonstrates how clinicians can use their formulations as an essential component of co-construction, whether in practice, training, or supervision.