Problem
Jane is a 27-year-old African-American female who is in the process of getting a divorce from her husband of seven years. She has a 6-year-old son, Derrick. Jane separated from her husband because of his increasing verbal and emotional abuse. She reported physical violence on one occasion. Believing that requesting her husband to leave the home would only intensify the fighting and abuse, Jane and her son moved out. Her parents have been unwilling to take them into their home. During the last several months, they have been living with a friend, but this arrangement is strained and she is now under pressure to move out. She is reluctant to move again before her divorce hearing date because she fears that she may present as being unstable to the court. Jane supports herself and son by working at a factory. Her salary is not sufficient to adequately support her son and herself. Her husband provides minimal child support on an erratic basis. Her primary source of social and moral support comes from her church and deep religious beliefs.
Jane presents for psychotherapy with the goals of dealing with the divorce and obtaining help for her son, whom she fears is being adversely impacted by the divorce. She reports being angry and depressed about her situation and places much of the blame for the divorce on herself. She admits that she married her husband even though she was not in love with him and stayed in the turbulent relationship for years before deciding that the marriage was not going to improve. Marriage was a convenient way for her to escape her parents' home, which she described as a hostile environment. The few interpersonal relationships that she has are being adversely affected by her anger and depression. Most significantly, Jane has many real concerns about her financial future.
Jane is quite determined to succeed, yet her resolve may work against her. She says she will never allow herself to make the same mistake twice, to be used by people and hurt by men. Jane isolates herself from the few social contacts and resources available to her. She is so determined to be self-sufficient that she shuts herself off from possible positive interactions which could benefit her during this ordeal. This isolation and general distrust contributes to periods of depression and frustration.
She also struggles with religious and moral implications of her divorce. In her eyes, divorce is a sin regardless of the reason. Her belief places her in a double-bind. To divorce is to sin, yet to stay in the marriage subjects her and possibly her son to her husband's emotional tirades and possible physical abuse. She understands the potential for danger should she not divorce and stay in the marriage. To Jane, the penalty for sinning equates or even surpasses physical injury or death. She is undecided about how to deal with the divorce and is growing increasingly apprehensive about the impending court date. She feels betrayed by the failure of her marriage.
Task
1. How would you would work with Jane from a solution-focused brief perspective?
2. Solution-focused brief therapy is grounded on the optimistic assumption that people are healthy and competent with the ability to construct solutions that can enhance their lives. If you accept this assumption as being valid, how is this likely to impact the manner in which you relate this client?
3. Part of this therapy practice is built on the notion of helping clients recognize their strengths and resources. What do you believe are Jane's strengths and resources that can help her in this situation? How could you help her utilize these strengths and resources?
4. Do you believe that a solution-focused approach is the best approach to apply to Jane's case? Why or why not?
5. How would you integrate your faith with this particular therapeutic perspective?