The Solution-Focused Circle Technique: A Visual Tool for Discovering Strengths and Facilitating Change in Therapy and Counseling

Abstract

The Circle Technique is a solution-focused tool for discovering clients' resources, competencies and desired changes, essential aspects of solution-focused psychology. Using two concentric circles, the practitioner guides the client to find resources and ideas about what they want to change and solutions they can use within their social context. The visual tool allows the practitioner and the client to act as explorers, like Marco Polo or Columbus, discovering new worlds. The Circle Technique can be applied in diverse settings to empower a wide range of clients to find valuable ideas. The information found with the help of the circles feels meaningful to clients; it creates a strong sense of ownership, increasing their engagement in the therapeutic process and establishing a good working alliance. Feedback from clients and practitioners has confirmed that visualizing the clients' answers within the two concentric circles has essential benefits. It helps clients focus and keep track of the conversation. Visualizing their answers is particularly important for clients with short attention spans or who miss the capacity to give extensive verbalizations. The article shows how practitioners can use the Circle Technique to discover clients' strengths and help them rapidly define well-formed goals for the therapeutic process.