SOLUTION-BUILDING CONVERSATIONS - CO-CONSTRUCTING A SENSE OF COMPETENCE WITH CLIENTS

The authors examine the social constructionist nature of solution-focu sed therapy. The therapy's components are illustrated through the pres entation of a first-session conversation between Insoo Kim Berg as the rapist and a 19-year-old mother, who states that she is ''stressed out and depressed.'' As the conversation develops, the young mother's sen se of herself changes and the integration of the therapy's components become apparent, Next, existing outcome research is reviewed. Although descriptive in nature and limited in scope, research suggests positiv e outcomes for diverse clients and presenting problems. Finally, sever al connections are made between solution-focused procedures and social constructionist theory: the social construction of reality, language as the medium and substance of meaning, client change through the cons truction of new meanings, the client as expert, taking a collaborative stance, reflexivity, drawing on client strengths, and solutions as co -constructions.