Emotions in solution-focused therapy: a re-examination.
This article re-examines whether and how emotions are an aspect of solution-focused therapy. A major theme in the article focuses on the usual ways that therapists define and discuss emotions in solution-focused and other therapies. We argue that these discussions are a source of much confusion about emotions and about solution-focused therapy, including the confusing idea that emotions are neglected in solution-focused therapy. The second major theme describes an alternative approach to these issues, one that we believe better fits with the assumptions and concerns of solution-focused therapy. The approach is based on Wittgenstein's writings about language games, private experience, and how emotions are rule-following activities. Viewed from this perspective, solution-focused therapists take account of their clients' emotions by helping clients to create new emotion rules to follow.
Miller
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Department of Social and Cultural Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, USA. bulgaria@execpc.com
de Shazer
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S
D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*