Miracle Question Research Articles

I don't believe in miracles: Using the ecological validity model to adapt the miracle question to match the client’s cultural preferences and characteristics.

I don't believe in miracles: Using the ecological validity model to adapt the miracle question to match the client’s cultural preferences and characteristics.

Building Miracles in Dialogue: Observing Co-construction Through a Microanalysis of Calibrating Sequences

This research continues in the line of several previous studies in the micro-analysis of therapy dialogues that are making the abstract tenets of social constructionism directly observable. Here, we report the design and results of a microanalysis of calibration sequences in a therapy dialogue focused on a client's preferred future. This study makes observable how the therapist and client display their understanding to each other moment by moment in their miracle question conversation and tracks what content (i.e., meanings or understandings) are being co-constructed and accumulated utterance by utterance in their interaction. Implications for social constructionism, psychotherapy dialogues generally, future research, and practice effectiveness are discussed.

The Metaphysical Society (1869–1880): Intellectual Life in Mid-Victorian England ed. by Catherine Marshall, Bernard Lightman, and Richard England

Reviewed by: The Metaphysical Society (1869–1880): Intellectual Life in Mid-Victorian England ed. by Catherine Marshall, Bernard Lightman, and Richard England Elizabeth A. Huddleston The Metaphysical Society (1869–1880): Intellectual Life in Mid-Victorian England EDITED BY CATHERINE MARSHALL, BERNARD LIGHTMAN, AND RICHARD ENGLAND Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019. xii + 282 pages. Hardcover: $90. ISBN: 9780198846499. Just five years ago in 2015, Oxford University Press, under the editorial guidance of Catherine Marshall, Bernard Lightman, and Richard England, published a three-volume critical edition of the Papers of the Metaphysical Society.1 An essential [End Page 113] volume for the study of nineteenth-century British intelligentsia, the critical edition of the Papers of the Metaphysical Society opened the door for a more complete scholarly explication of the topics of interest for some of the foremost thinkers in Britain during Newman's lifetime. Some such thinkers include William George Ward, William Gladstone, Henry Sidgwick, Arthur Balfour, and Thomas Huxley. While Newman abnegated the invitation to participate in the Metaphysical Society, meaning he never participated himself, many of his frequent correspondents were active members, including Henry Manning, Father Dalgairns, Thomas Mozely, and James Anthony Froude. Many ideas presented in the Metaphysical Society papers themselves were also present in the conversations that Newman had with his correspondents. More importantly for historical research today, one is able to explore more fully the philosophical milieu in which Newman was a part, even if only tangentially. This compilation of essays is divided into three parts. The first part, "Society and the Politics of Engagement," includes three essays, all of which focus in some way on the societal, political, and social nature of the Metaphysical Society, as well as its response to the societal and cultural climate of the late Victorian intellectual atmosphere. The first essay, penned by Bruce Kinzer, entitled "The Personalization of Intellectual Combat: James Fitzjames Stephen and the Metaphysical Society," discusses how the Metaphysical Society "gave [James Fitzjames] Stephen one more forum in which to crush intellectual adversaries whose views he deemed flawed and obnoxious" (19). The second essay by Catherine Marshall entitled, "The Editors of the Metaphysical Society, or Disseminating the Ideas of the Metaphysicians," demonstrates that "the study of the journalistic contributions of the Metaphysicians can help reinterpret the place of their ideas in late Victorian England" (42). The third and final essay in this section, "Liberalism and the Metaphysical Society" by Andrew Vincent, investigates the diverse nature of the papers of the Metaphysical Society in their response "to the political, social, religious, and scientific changes of their era" and asks specifically if "the papers of the Society [were] simply a constellation of incommensurable arguments talking past each other, or was there an underlying theme which allowed these diverse arguments to cohere in some manner" (63). Whereas the first part investigates sociological themes to help situate the Metaphysical Society within its proper cultural context, the second part begins an investigation on some of the philosophical themes important to the Metaphysicians. Part two, entitled "Miracles, Unseen Universes, and Natural Causes," is comprised of four essays. The first essay by Gowan Dawson entitled, "'The Cross-Examination of the Physiologist': T. H. Huxley and the Resurrection," places Huxley's [End Page 114] controversial paper on resurrection within the context of other discussions on the subject. Dawson argues, "Huxley's focus on biblical resurrection was hardly unprecedented at the Metaphysical Society, and his paper was part of a suite of contributions on the vexed question of miracles, and it was these together, rather than Huxley's alone, that prompted the innovation of an extra session of discussion" (93). The second essay by Richard England entitled, "Cause, Nature, and the Limits of Language: Martineau and Maurice on the Philosophical Necessity of Theism," introduces the ideas of Anglican Frederick Denison Maurice (1805–1872) and Unitarian James Martineau (1805–1895) in order "to show how their views had developed from old philosophical controversies, and to explain why their contributions did not change the minds of their naturalist opponents" who saw themselves as divided between a "school of experience (empiricists)" and the "school of intuition" (120). In the third essay, "Expertise in the Miracles Debate," Anne Dewitt explores the cultural...

The Miracle Question: The Islamic ideal through the prism of Senegalise Sufi Brotherhoods

The biggest news story in journalism for the past two decades has been chronicling the rise of radical Islamic terrorism. But, what do Muslims want? What would the world be like if they achieved their goals? If Muslims went to sleep one magical night and a miracle occurred, what would their ideal world be like upon awakening? What if all the problems were gone? I posed the “miracle question” to Sufi Islamic scholars, marabouts, disciples of Sufi Brotherhood orders, the Tijaniyyah, the Mourides and the Layene Brotherhoods in Senegal, West Africa in June 2015. I asked them to envision how the future would be different if the Sufi Islamic ideal was achieved. This research uses narrative inquiry to examine the endgame of Islam.

Brief Therapy Techniques Can Make All Therapists Better

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Clinical and Research NewsFull AccessBrief Therapy Techniques Can Make All Therapists BetterMantosh DewanM.D., Roger GreenbergPh.D.Mantosh DewanSearch for more papers by this authorM.D., Roger GreenbergSearch for more papers by this authorPh.D.Published Online:2 May 2019https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2019.5a26Mantosh Dewan, M.D., is interim dean of the College of Medicine and the SUNY Distinguished Service Professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University, where Roger Greenberg, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. They are the co-editors of The Art and Science of Brief Psychotherapies: A Practitioner’s Guide, Third Edition, which APA members may purchase the book at a discount.Today, most psychiatric patients receive brief therapy, and the majority of research on the effectiveness of psychotherapy is on brief therapies.Studies show that about 50% of patients show significant benefits after 10 to 20 sessions of psychotherapy, while an additional 25% to 30% respond within 50 sessions.Brief therapies can be helpful in many ways. Any evidence-based model provides a theoretical framework to anchor the therapist, and a specific technique may be particularly effective with certain conditions (for example, exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder or interpersonal therapy [IPT] for postpartum depression) or with certain patients (for example, solution-focused therapy for high-functioning college students). More importantly, specific techniques from one brief therapy can be integrated to make another brief therapy—or even long-term therapy—more effective. How can it make your work better?All successful therapies require a robust treatment alliance based on common factors (empathy, hope, and expectancy) and a clear contract. Patients seek “help,” but only 20% understand and are ready to actively participate in therapy. Several easy-to-use brief therapy techniques can help in this early phase. Eliciting the patient’s own motivation for change is a core motivational interviewing technique. Sometimes the “miracle question” borrowed from solution-focused therapy can do wonders (“Suppose a miracle occurs, and the changes you had hoped for are suddenly made. How would you realize the changes had occurred? What differences would you notice as a result?”) Cognitive-behavioral therapy uses psychoeducation to provide a clear and credible treatment rationale that enables patients to appreciate the therapeutic goals and strategies that will be employed and to feel they are on the right track.The middle phase allows for the artful mixing of many approaches and techniques, especially when patients are “difficult” and when therapy is “stuck.” The insistent focus and active stance of the therapist are key ingredients of all brief therapies. When the patient is “all over the place,” dynamic therapy helps by recognizing themes. Patients with intolerable anxiety can relax by practicing mindfulness—a core skill of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) that can be integrated within all therapies. Similarly, DBT skill building leads to little-known but surprisingly easy-to-learn techniques that can reduce or prevent frustration and anger. An interpersonal inventory as used in IPT can help construct an accurate picture of the supportive and damaging relationships in a patient’s life. Problem solving can be approached through IPT or cognitive therapy techniques.Processing narratives using interpretations and experiential learning based on psychodynamic models can ease patient anxieties and guilt by promoting understanding of the origins of maladaptive behaviors and self-defeating thought patterns. It is helpful to use scaling questions (say, on a scale of 1 to 10), as solution-focused therapists do, to assess the levels of patients’ symptoms and plot their progress.Of particular importance for accelerating progress in psychotherapy is the use of homework assignments (now called action plans), as suggested by cognitive-behavioral therapists. These develop skills in the real world and give a sense of mastery and confidence.How termination is handled is important in brief therapy, and some schools deliberately set a firm end date or fix the number of sessions at the start. However, the conclusion of therapy is different for interpersonal therapists: They leave open the possibility that patients may return for additional treatment or booster sessions.The techniques and skills noted in this article are among those described in our book The Art and Science of Brief Psychotherapies, Third Edition. More importantly, they are demonstrated on the book’s accompanying video by the leading experts in the field, including Judith Beck, Edna Foa, and Marsha Linehan. Some can be learned very quickly. We hope learning more about these techniques and how to integrate them in your work will be as rewarding for you as it has been for us. ■ ISSUES NewArchived

Drawing Solution: Ekspresi Seni dalam Konseling Ringkas Berfokus Solusi

The need for counseling services becomes urgent today. Focusing on the rapidity of counseled solutions becomes a counselor challenge in providing counseling services to counselees. One approach to counseling that addresses these challenges is the solution-focused brief counseling (SFBC). This approach is more important than solution talk rather than problem talk. One element that enhances the effectiveness of SFBC is the optimization of art expression by drawing solution. Art expressions with drawing solutions provide counselors with opportunities to describe solutions to their problems with intermediate exclusive questions and miracle questions techniques. This article will discuss the procedure of drawing a solution as a reference counselor to conduct counseling practice. Keywords : drawing solution, expressive art, solution-focused brief counseling.

Stress Among Working Women: Counselling Services Using the Lazarus Stress Theory and the Practice of Solution-Focused Therapy


 
 
 This paper aims to understand the stress among working women and helping method that can be used by counseling practitioners through the concept of Lazarus Stress Theory and Solution-focused Therapy application. The Focused issue is the stress among working women. Stress is an issue that often occurs to women working due to factors such as work load, health problems, childcare, social relations, relationships with spouses, time management and self-care. Although there are various methods that can be used to help them reduce the level of stress, it still can not be resolved properly. In fact, it continues to effect women's emotions and their quality of life. The adverse effects of stress can be identified based on four aspects namely physical, emotional, behavior and thinking. Therefore, it is important for counseling practitioners to help women to manage their stress. The application of the concept of Lazarus Stress Theory in counseling sessions is important as a guide to counselors in understanding the factors, effects, and situations that are happening to the client. Based on Lazarus's Theory, stress can be understood through three aspects, namely the stimulus, the respond and the process. After getting a clear understanding of the issue, counselors can apply specific techniques in Solution-Focused Therapy such as scaling techniques and miracle questions to help clients. The combination of understanding theoretical concepts and application of therapeutic techniques enhances counseling services as well as demonstrating professionalism of counselors in carrying out their duties.
 
 

Miracle question promotes open communication and positive interaction between clients and practitioners

This article reflects on Estonian practitioners’ voices to researchers and other practitioners by sharing their experiences of the solution-focused technique, ‘the miracle question’, they found useful in constructing solutions. This technique promoted thinking about becoming a better practitioner, empowerment, and the need to move away from traditional approaches in order to enhance improved outcomes for clients and to promote their well-being.

A COMPLICATED GRIEF INTERVENTION PROGRAMME (CGIP) FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

Grief is a well-described concept in the literature, but complicated grief only recently became the concern of professionals working in this field. The necessity for a complicated grief intervention programme became evident after a fruitless search to find South African literature and interventions on the topic. This article describes the Complicated Grief Intervention Programme (CGIP) with the Complicated Grief Intervention Model (CGIM) as framework for intervention. The focus is on intervention techniques such as desensitisation, visualisation, use of the client-log, miracle questions, metaphors, rituals and humour. The CGIP is a time-limited intervention programme and consists mainly of interventions implemented during the three steps of the CGIM namely, assessment, implementation and evaluation/termination. Although the CGIP has not been widely tested, it holds the potential to serve as a guideline for social workers and other professionals working in the field of grief and bereavement.

KONSEP BIMBINGAN DAN KONSELING ISLAM SOLUTION FOCUSED BRIEF THERAPY (SFBT) UNTUK MEMBANTU MENYEMBUHKAN PERILAKU PROKRASTINASI MAHASISWA

This article describes about concept of Islamic guidance and counseling through SFBT (Solution Focused Brief Therapy) approach to review helps cure procrastination student behavior. SFBT is a form of brief therapy that builds on the strengths of the counselee to help raise and construct a solution to the problem. The concept of guidance and counseling Islam through SFBT approach is a comprehensive approach so that more leverage in helping cure procrastination behavior. Procrastination is the tendency of delaying completion of a task or work related academic activities. Islamic SFBT its essence lies in the counseling phase focused on solutions rather than on problems so counselee more energy is used to find a solution. There are stages of intervention in the form of a question miracle (miracle question), the counselee is directed to find the magic solution that comes from Allah Swt. That with Allah, nothing is impossible if people want to try. Wisdom and the role of Allah Swt always "presented" to engage in the process of this therapy. Intervention practices covering Islamic SFBT; Changes in pre-session; Search exception; Search competence; Miracle questions; The use of scale (scaling); Reframing; and closure of the session.

The Magic Wand Question and Recovery-Focused Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

This paper uses a case study to describe the implementation of the Magic Wand Question (MWQ), also known as the miracle question, in a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) in Scotland. The MWQ, a common intervention, is based on a Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) approach. This intervention was undertaken by a third year student nurse with the intention of demonstrating how practice can be more closely aligned to a recovery-focused, strengths-based approach, which is in line with national policy. SFBT has a growing evidence base for use with children and young people. However, there are still some common uncertainties about its use; therefore, a literature review has been undertaken to further explore the evidence base for the use of SFBT, with a focus on the MWQ. Furthermore, an exploration of the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the MWQ is provided with a 15-year-old girl experiencing symptoms of low mood. Although limitations have been identified, giving careful consideration to posing the MWQ, through detailed planning prior to implementation, led to an increased understanding of factors supporting the use of the MWQ and reduced any uncertainty around when to use the MWQ in practice. In this clinical intervention, with a 15-year-old girl experiencing symptoms of low mood, the use of the MWQ was successful. The effectiveness of any treatment is best judged by the individual receiving care, and positive results have been achieved in this case study. Use of this approach ensured professionals were looking beyond diagnosis, illness, and problems in line with the principles of recovery-focused practice (Scottish Recovery Network [SRN] and NHS Education for Scotland [NES], 2007). The use of the MWQ in this case enhanced the knowledge of evidence-based practices, in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, ) and improved overall outcomes for individuals receiving care.

Far from Fair by Elana K. Arnold (review)

Reviewed by: Far from Fair by Elana K. Arnold Deborah Stevenson, Editor Arnold, Elana K. Far from Fair. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016 [240p] ISBN 978-0-544-60227-4 $16.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 4-7 Despite her parents’ and little brother’s enthusiasm, rising seventh-grader Odette bitterly resents having to move her entire life into a camper and leave her home and friends behind. Even the compensatory dog her father gets her is an infuriating disappointment, a little mutt rather than the Labrador she’s longed for. A thousand miles of travel don’t really soften Odette’s stance, but when the family makes their first big stop, with Odette’s Grandma Sissy in Washington’s San Juan Islands, Odette is faced with a much bigger concern: her grandmother’s fatal illness and plan for a legal assisted death. Arnold, author of A Question of Miracles (BCCB 2/15), again accessibly tackles a challenging subject here. The first part of the book is spot-on in its characterization of Odette, who is legitimately upset about the upheaval in [End Page 401] her life but hasn’t yet figured out that hanging onto her anger is only hurting her. Her grandmother’s passing is handled sensitively yet matter-of-factly, and while the shift to the assisted-death plot may initially seem quite a subject change, it’s actually an effective complementary exploration of the overall theme of dealing with powerlessness. As Grandma Sissy says, “You may feel powerless over what is happening to you right now . . . and you are right. You are powerless, sometimes. Sometimes things happen, and we can’t stop them from happening.” Odette’s triumph is facing that truth while also recognizing things she does have some power to change (like making sure she sees the boy she likes before he leaves the island); the book’s triumph is exploring that truth while also acknowledging the adults could stand to give Odette a little more power. A tearjerker with a brain, this could prompt discussion not only of the right to die issue but also power and fairness. Copyright © 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

The effect of exception /miracle questions in nursing on affects,confidence and actual solving problems

Objective To investigate the effect of exception questions/miracle questions in Solution-Focused Approach in nursing on affects, confidence to solve problem, the perception of problem's difficulty, and actual solving problems, to provide practical basis for practitioners of Solution-Focused Approach. Methods A total of 102 nurses were randomly divided into exception questions in Solution-Focused Approach group (exception group), miracle questions in Solution-Focused Approach group (miracle group) and cause questions in the traditional psychotherapy pattern group(cause group).The difference among three groups on the aspect of the change of affects, confidence to solve problem and the perception of problem's difficulty, and the help form the questions immediately and after 1 week (immediate help and 1 week after help) were studied. Results Eventually subjects effectively, 34 nurses in exception group, 31 nurses in miracle group, 31 nurses in cause group. The difference among three groups in aspect of the change of affects, the change of confidence to solve problem,immediate help and 1 week after help were statistically significant (Z=9.68-18.58,P<0.05). Furthermore, change in problem solving confidence on exception group was higher than cause group(51.9 vs.35.6,P<0.05), change in affects on exception group and miracle group were higher than cause group (53.8,55.1 vs. 36.0,P <0.05), the immediate help on exception group and cause group were higher than miracle group (59.8,52.5 vs. 32.0,P<0.05), and 1 week after help on exception group was higher than miracle group and cause group(64.5 vs. 42.3,37.0,P <0.05). Conclusions Exception/miracle questions can both improve the emotional state, and exception questions can enhance the confidence to solve problems and provide more help for nurses. Key words: Nurses; Solution-Focused Approach; Exception questions; Miracle questions

Social work students’ reflections on a solution-focused approach to child protection assessment: a qualitative study

This exploratory study examines how Estonian graduate social work students’ reflections of the solution-focused approach in the context of child protection assessment can change as a result of coursework in this model. Students’ responses indicate some changes in the nature of responses after the solution-focused training course, including the adoption of techniques that help to focus on solutions (e.g. miracle question and scaling questions). Following the training, students underscored the importance of changing problem-focused ‘traditional thinking’. The findings highlight a challenge in social work education, suggesting a need to target goal-directed talk throughout the social work curriculum to support competence in conducting comprehensive, strength-based assessments.

Dinamika Struktur Kemukjizatan Al-Qur`an

This study seeks to unravel the question of quranic miracles as a dynamic aspect. By using a qualitative approach, the efforts for re-structuring of miracles aspectsof the Koran into `I'jâz in the text and beyond the text resulted in essence of quranic miracles as proof of the truth of prophetic treatise. The structure of the quranic miracles constantly evolving dynamic in line with the growing public acceptance dimension following the age dimension. The dynamics of the miracle of the Qur`an forms evolved following the development of the rationality of the Muslims in every age. The classical era, `i'jâz Qur`an more confronted with theissue of linguistic (bayân) which focuses on grammar (naẓm), rhetoric and balagha of Koran. In its development, elaboration of the aspects `i’jâz rules of the Koran into major and minor becomes an important issue to find a common thread I’jâz study the Koran and socio-cultural discourse in analyzing aspects of the reception of the Koran in Islamic societies as evidentiary support and response tothe challenges (tahaddi) against aspects of the miracle of the Qur`an.

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold (review)

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold (review)

Effect of the miracle questions in solution-focused brief therapy on memory tend and emotional stage in college students

Objective To evaluate the effect of the miracle questions in solution-focused brief therapy on memory tend and emotional stage in a non-clinical situation in college students. Methods A quasi-experimental design was adopted, and two kinds of materials for self-coaching(solution-focused, problem-focused) were developed according to the previous researches. Seventy-two subjects were randomly divided into two groups, receiving the miracle questions in solution-focused brief therapy(The miracle question group, thirty-six subjects) or problem-focused coaching intervention(problem-focused group, thirty-six subjects). Exception memories number and positive and negative emotion level were evaluated between the two groups. Results The subjects receiving the miracle question group write more exception memories (3.67±2.07) than problem-focused group (1.61±1.18) (t=5.178, P 0.05). Conclusion The miracle questions in solution-focused brief therapy can trigger the subjects to exceptional memories .This suggests that in practical application, questions order has impact on the effect of consultation. Before asking exception question, miracle questions should be asked in the use of solution-focused intervention. Key words: Solution-focused brief therapy; College students; Miracle questions; Exception questions; Emotional stage; Cross-sectional studies

Solution-Focused Group Work in Prison

Doing Solution-Focused work in prison, which is a very normative context, is a challenge. The request from the prison was distinct: to conduct a Solution-Focused group program, with inmates sentenced for sexual offences - "deniers" - in an open group. The miracle question, scaling, exceptions and tasks were useful in order to identify and take small steps while in prison, small steps that took the clients closer to their goals - which are always outside the prison walls.

Group Supervision in Child Protective Service: Utilising the Miracle Question

In the United States, child protective workers often find themselves in an adversarial relationship with families. They usually carry out indirect work monitoring set treatment plans and making referrals to treatment or intervention programmes such as parenting courses and anger management which have limited effectiveness in reducing risk behaviours. In this descriptive study, a group of child protective workers have undergone Solution-Focused training in direct work with families and are receiving Solution-Focused supervision. The use of the miracle question is outlined in detail as an example of how workers can be encouraged to move towards a more positive, hopeful practice.

Solution-Based Therapy Assuming More Prominent Role

Solution-Based Therapy Assuming More Prominent Role