This article is focused on brief therapy, and solution-focused therapy as developed in family therapy within the tradition of brief therapy. Because the therapy is practice oriented, we pay special attention to the historical roots of brief therapy: the contributions of Milton Erickson, Bateson, system therapy, and system theory. We continue with digging further into the concept of brief therapy and its evolution towards solution-focused therapy.
In the second part of the article we take a closer look at the intake session in psychotherapy in the light of this evolution.
When we narrow down the therapeutic process to its essence, and combine it with the motivational status of the client-therapist system, we can establish a more efficient and productive recovery process.
'Short and beneficial' means that time-limited therapy can be the preferential treatment in some cases. 'Brief therapy' is not just short, but really says: as long as necessary. Therefore, brief can be beneficial.
The tPeP (Journal Person-centered experiential Psychotherapy) is the scientific journal for Dutch and Flemish psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, that work from, or are interested in a client-centered perspective.