Solution-Focused Group Therapy for Substance Abuse

Abstract

Solution-Focused Therapy provides a framework by which a competence-based group treatment can be provided to clients who are struggling with substance abuse and dependence. Solution-Focused Group Therapy (SFGT) both preserves the underlying philosophy of competence-based approaches and can be delivered in a group format. The other primary competence-based treatment approach in the substance abuse field, Motivational Interviewing, remains an individual approach that has yet to be successfully formulated for group treatment. There is a need for competence-based group treatment in the substance abuse field, however, since the majority of treatment agencies provide treatment in a group format, and group treatment has the advantages of providing social support, modeling of success, and inspiring hope. This paper reviews the literature on Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Therapy, argues for the usefulness of SFBT in group format, briefly describes a format for SFGT, and provides a case example of a SFGT session.