Solution Focused Counseling with a Substance Abusing Client

Abstract

Substance abuse counseling is typically offered from a cognitive-behavioral or 12-step based approach. Solutionfocused theory can offer counselors with an alternative perspective for working with clients with drug abuse issues. In this article, a case report is presented in which the author utilized a solution-focused approach with a client experiencing co-occurring anxiety and severe alcohol use. Solution-focused theory is briefly described and techniques for use with the model are detailed. The effective use of exception and coping questions are described in the case report and outcomes of these interventions are presented. The article concludes with a discussion on the need for further research and suggests specific areas for additional investigation.