Solution-Focused Advising with the Undecided Student
Solution-focused advising integrates solution-focused therapy with academic advising. Solution-focused therapy is apsychotherapeutic method that emphasizes the importance of strengths and goal achievement overpathology. The model is based on the positive presuppositions that change is always occurring and that clients can promote change through small steps from a perceived problem toward a goal. Academic advisors can apply solution-focused therapy to students who are undecided about a career major. A definition of an undecided student is presented as well as case samples that demonstrate solution-focused techniques in advising.
Contributor Notes
James Burg, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne and can be reached at burgj@ipfw.edu.
Jennifer Mayhall, M.S., is a Career Counselor and Academic Advisor in the department of Academic Counseling and Career Services at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne. She can be reached at mayhallj@ipfw.edu.
