When to Use the Miracle Question: Clues From a Qualitative Study of Four SFBT Practitioners

Abstract

Solution-focused therapists have been using the “miracle question” intervention since first proposed by Steve de Shazer in 1985. However, it remains an issue for clinicians as well as for supervisors and trainers as to when the appropriate time is for delivering or offering the question to an individual, couple, or family. This paper proposes to discover, through thematic analysis, if a correct time exists and what criteria need to be in place before delivering the miracle question. The authors studied videotapes of four recognized and experienced solution-focused therapists in a therapy session. An examination of these therapy session transcripts revealed criteria that may be important clues for making the miracle question an effective intervention.