Doing what Works: Brief Solution-Focused Counseling with Children and Families (Kurn Hattin 19th Annual Conference)

Dr. John Murphy will describe practical strategies of Brief Solution-Focused Counseling (BSFC), a research-supported, strength-based and culturally-sensitive approach designed  for the practical realities of schools and other clinical  settings. Based on a large body of research on “what works” in helping people change, BSFC builds Solutions from the strengths, resources and feedback of young people and caregivers. 

Strategies include: 

• Helping people develop concrete, meaningful goals.
• Developing relationships that promote a client’s investment, cooperation and accountability.
• Using change-focused questions and “Solution talk.” 
• Viewing every contact as an opportunity for positive change.
• Building on exceptions and other natural resources in client’s lives.
• Working effectively with so-called “resistant” or reluctant clients.
• Using quick, valid accountability strategies to evaluate and adjust services based on consumer feedback.
• Applying strength-based/outcome-informed practice to other services such as group counseling, RTI/problem-solving teams, parent/teacher consultation and school-wide programs.

Well known for his lively and engaging style, Dr. Murphy’s day-long presentation will include numerous videotaped and “live” demonstrations, experiential exercises and  practice activities designed to increase the immediate  relevance and application of the training content. 

John J. Murphy, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized trainer and practitioner of brief therapy approaches with children, adolescents and school problems. He has trained thousands of professionals throughout the world and is featured in the acclaimed video series, Child Therapy with the Experts. Dr. Murphy is a professor of school psychology and counseling at the University of Central Arkansas, school practitioner and author of two recent books—Brief Intervention for School Problems: Outcome-Informed Strategies and the award-winning Solution-Focused Counseling in Schools—and the upcoming book, Interviewing Students for School Solutions.

Participants will learn to:

• Apply research-based strategies of change to counseling and intervention in schools and elsewhere.
• Establish cooperative, change-focused relationships with clients. 
• Use change-focused questions and “Solution talk” to jump-start the change process from the opening moments of contact.
• Use quick and reliable measures for obtaining client feedback on the outcomes and fi of services.

Schedule

8:45 AM: Registration & Refreshments

9:00 AM: Dr. John Murphy

12:15 PM: Lunch

1:30 PM: Dr. John Murphy