Techniques and Interventions of Solution-Focused Advising
Solution-focused advising is a novel method for engaging students in the advising process. In NACADA Journal 22(1), we discussed a conceptual framework for understanding the integration of solution-focused therapy into academic advising of undecided students (Mayhall & Burg, 2002). In this article we expand on the introduction by providing specific information on the skills used in solution-focused advising. The techniques of goal setting, scaling questions, presuppositional questions, the miracle question, positive feedback, and homework assignments are discussed, and an illustration is provided for each intervention as it applies to various advising situations.
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.
