Solution focused approach first started as a family therapy model but is now used in diverse range of institutions and programs that require the development of positive and effective interpersonal relationships in order to solve the problems at hand. The institutions and programs include, among others, various social work agencies, mental health centers, counseling centers, professional business coaching organizations and schools.
Solution Center was established in 2002 as the Korean subsidiary of BFTC(Brief Family Therapy Center) of Milwaukee with the late Insoo Kim Berg who was a primary developer of solution focused approach along with her husband, Steve de Shazer. BFTC in Milwaukee officially closed its doors on December 15, 2007 after Insoo Kim Berg passed away suddenly on January 10, 2007 but we continue to use the logo of BFTC.
Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer taught us "to always start from what is already there" when practicing solution focused approach. They emphasized the importance of working more effectively and efficiently with what is already available. Thus they refrained from expanding their influence by setting up a license or establishing numerous branch offices and focused only on developing ways to work more effectively with clients. We at the center also wish to follow in their footsteps by devoting our efforts in developing and spreading the solution focused approach in the same spirit.
· Address : 305-1003 Yangji-maeul 151, Naejeong-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea (zipcode 13597)
· Tel 82-70-8227-9706
Insook Choi
Supervisor, Trainer, Consultant
Yunjoo Kim
Representative
Helen Noh
Professor of Soongsil University
BFTC stands for Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, WI in the U.S. It used to be the mecca of solution focused approach because it is where Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg started developing solution focused approach with the single purpose of helping clients more effectively from around 1982,
Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg met in MRI(Mental Research Institute) in Palo Alto, U.S.A in the 1970s when family therapy was expanding rapidly. As they practiced together as husband and wife, colleagues and mentors to each other, they discovered that starting with what the clients want and the abilities they already have instead of focusing on their problems was more helpful and effective.
The revolutionary view that clients are the experts of their own approach lives has been the foundation in the development and advancement of solution focused Many Western scholars and practitioners refer to solution focused approach as being "Oriental" and this certainly is not coincidental. Since Insoo Kim Berg was born in Korea and moved to the U.S. only after she graduated from college in the late 1950s, the oriental values she acquired while growing up are reflected in solution focused approach.
Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg taught practitioners that everyone has the ability to change and that there are always exceptions to problems. Solution focused approach that they developed together is now being practiced all over the world not only by helping professionals but also by people in all fields who strive to find effective ways to produce positive changes in interpersonal relationships by "thinking outside the box."
BFTC was the main office of Solution Center, Korea but officially closed in December of 2007 after Insoo Kim Berg passed away in January of the same year.
We provide counseling to all who need it including children, youths, couples, families, etc. When requested, we also go out to other agencies to provide counseling.
We provide group counseling when requested by agencies/organizations.
This is an intensive training program offered to those who have completed the basic training program in solution focused approach and wish to practice it in the field. The program is focused on training the effective use of solution focused questions and feedback as well as on answering questions that participants have with respect to applying the model in actual practice. Each training program is provided in small groups of 5 to 7 people for a total of 20 hours (5 sessions with 4 hours in each session).
We provided basic and advanced training programs. The advanced training programs are offered to those who have completed the basic training program and wish to have further training in applying the model in different areas of practice such as case management, children and youth practice, family violence, alcohol and substance abuse, poverty, etc
We offer on-site individual or group supervision to practitioners and agencies on the use of solution focused approach. We also provide consultation on effective case management, staff meeting, staff management, etc.
published by Ministry of Health, Welfare & Family / Solution Center (2006)
In recent years, case management has received much attention as a practice method in the field of social work. This case management manual was published from experiences accumulated as a result of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family's 3 year implementation of "Case Management of Female Headed Households in Need: A Demonstration Project" which started in 2004 with Solution Center entrusted to provide overall training and supervision needed for effective practice.
The distinctive features of this manual are as follows:
1. It is written with a focus on explaining specific practice methods instead of theory and provides many case examples.
2. It is written based on feedback collected from social work practitioners with respect to areas on which they need most help and clarification.
3. It would be more useful to practitioners who know the basics of strength based practice and solution focused model.
published by National Foster Care Center, Ministry of Health, Welfare & Family (2009)
This handbook consists of three chapters.
Chapter 1 explains how solution focused model is applied in foster care services with specific case examples for easy understanding. It also provides answers to questions that foster care workers have on the principles of solution focused model. Chapter 2 explains specific ways in which solutions focused model is practiced in foster care services by giving concrete case examples of an interview process using solution focused questions.
Chapter 3 provides answers to questions that foster care workers have regarding difficult situations they face while providing foster care services in a Q&A form.
published by Buchun Community Social Welfare Network / Solution Center (2009)
This material was produced as a result of supervision sessions held with social work practitioners in Buchon Area between April and October of 2009.
Chapter 1 discusses the usefulness of solution focused model in practice fields and answers questions practitioners have about the model.
Chapter 2 presents case materials so that practitioners can use them for practicing the model.
