More Nuggets from Dr. Koob

From Dr. Koob's (Professor of Social Work at Cal State Long Beach) dissertation:

Describing the significance of the therapist-supervisor relationship in developing competent therapists:

"The importance of this dyadic relationship between a supervisor and a therapist cannot be overstated. Research shows that therapist burnout, and career changes--even after several years of being a therapist--can be traced back to ineffective supervision. These researchers contend that traditional supervision models have not been effective in developing a sense of high perceived self-efficacy in the developing therapist. They further contend that developing high perceived self-efficacy in the therapist is essential to producing a competent therapist, and promoting career stability."

Describing assumptions from traditional supervision:

"These traditional dynamics of dual relationships, parallel processes, developmental processes, and interpersonal issues have lead to the following three assumptions regarding traditional supervision:

1. Focus on 'mistakes' the therapist makes, not successes
2. Focus on what the client did , not what the therapist did (client focused, not therapist focused)
3. There is one right way to conduct therapy"

"If the development of high perceived self-efficacy is a necessary condition in the development of a competent therapist, as researchers contend, and further, if traditional supervision does not lead to high perceived self-efficacy in the therapist, then supervisors who prescribe to the preceding three assumptions regarding traditional supervision are less likely to produce competent therapists."

Changing assumptions using solution-focused clinical supervision:

"Solution-Focused Supervision leads to the opposite assumptions of Traditional Supervision:

1. Focus on successes the therapist makes, not 'mistakes'
2. Focus on what the therapist did, not what the client did
3. There is more than one right way to conduct therapy"

Describing SFBT techniques:

"One of Milton Erickson’s use of hypnosis was to have people imagine what their life would be like if they did not have their presenting problems. Jim Wilkes would tell his clients stories of people who were able to overcome problems similar to the client’s, and then how their life changed. Among other techniques, de Shazer asks what he calls a miracle question--'When you wake up tomorrow, and if you discover that a miracle happened, and your problem no longer existed, how would your life be different?' "

"Once you have discovered the client’s solution to their life, de Shazer (1985) explains that you then must assist them in constructing that solution, and then guide them toward that solution. As an illustration, if a woman says she would like to be an architect--you have discovered her solution-- you then define the steps she must take or bricks that build that solution, and then you help her build her castle."