Miracle Question
The miracle question is a trademark technique used in solution-focused therapy, helping
the client to conclude what they want from therapy. The miracle question helps clients focus less
on the problems and causes and more on the goals and solutions for therapy (Murdock, 2017).
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CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION USING SOLUTION-FOCUSED
The miracle question to ask Phil includes, "suppose that one night, while you were asleep, there
was a miracle that occurred. Jay no longer caused ridicule or hatred in your life, solving the
relationship problem between the two of you. How would you know the problem no longer
existed? What would be different between you and Jay?"
The miracle question helps the client get a sense of what a solution would look like,
enabling them to focus on the present, along with small behaviors that signal the problem is
resolving. As Phil answers the questions, it's important to remind him to keep them simple. The
importance of the simple answers helps Phil understand that although he may feel his problems
are complex, the issue can be addressed with minimal solutions (Rita, 1998). Even small and
straightforward differences can ultimately lead to more substantial changes in the future.
Scaling Questions
One way to encourage action and motivate change is through the use of scaling questions
(Young, 2017). Scaling questions may also help clients think in terms of smaller but decisive
steps towards a solution, along with making the problem more concrete (Murdock, 2017). To use
the scaling question with Phil, the therapist would ask him, "on a scale from 0-10, with ten
meaning you can improve your relationship with Jay and one meaning you think the relationship
is hopeless, where are you right now?" Once Phil gives a number using the scale, the next
question would be to ask, "what are one or two things you can do this week to help bring that
number up by two points?" Similar to the other techniques, Phil can see a positive change in
small increments giving him hope and motivation to seek a solution towards his interaction with
Jay.
Spiritual Application
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CASE CONCEPTUALIZATION USING SOLUTION-FOCUSED
Phil has not attended church for many years. His religious upbringing is rooted in
Catholicism. Phil cannot escape his lack of acceptance by others and the understanding of his full
acceptance in Christ. Before therapy begins, Phil's therapist needs to have a thorough
understanding of Phil's worldview to establish a basis for solution-focused conceptualization and
intervention (Guterman & Leite, 2006). Using a solution-focused approach through a Christian
worldview, the therapist will guide Phil’s understanding of the concepts of truth, and his identity
in Christ to understand the nature of the relationship (Van Dyke, Jones, & Butman, 2011).
