Is Brief Better? A Modified Brief Solution-Focused Therapy Approach for Adults with a Developmental Delay

Abstract

Although the clinical literature reports that psychotherapists have increasingly used brief solution-focussed therapy with a variety of populations, there is no mention of the use of this model with adults who have a developmental delay. This descriptive paper discusses a modified brief solution focussed approach with clients at Surrey Place Centre and the authors' initial attempts to evaluate it. We found that our modified approach was most successful for those who were higher functioning, were self-referred, and were supported in the therapeutic process by others. Those clients with fewer presenting problems and whose problems were related to self-esteem, family, and loss also fared better overall, according to clinician ratings. Our brief therapy service was delivered in less time (mean 118 days) than service to our clients in long-term psychotherapy (mean 372 days) (p < .001), with less of a waiting period for service. Clients and their caregivers were satisfied with the service as reported in a six-month follow-up questionnaire when compared with both norms for the satisfaction measure used and with the responses of our clients in long-term psychotherapy. Our experience suggests that this modified approach should continue to be used with some of our clients. Advantages and disadvantages of the model are summarized. The need for more sophisticated psychotherapy outcome research is emphasized given the unique needs of this population.