by Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling has a couple of different aspects to it. While it is important to understand the background of the issue, this approach focuses on a hope-filled future. The process is goal-driven as solutions are agreed upon and different measurements of success are identified. There are normally twelve sessions maximum as this type of counseling is designed to be brief. Because this is pastoral in nature, scripture is important as well as a relationship with God.
There is a reason why the windshield is so big compared to the rear-view mirror. This analogy is a good fit for Solution-focused Pastoral Counseling as people can not dwell in the past and need to look forward because the future is what they can change. It is good to identify events or choices that contributed to the situation but that should be limited to the first one or two sessions.
Having a hope-filled future is important because it gives the counselee hope that there is a better tomorrow. The Miracle Question does a good job of getting the person to understand what success will look like and what goals are needed to get there. The miracle question asks the counselee to imagine that a miracle happened and to envision life without the problem. This model emphasizes the importance of creating solutions that have measurable goals. This is designed to have quick progress as the goals should be in small steps to the larger goal and relatively easy to achieve. It is important to note that the goals are co-created so there is buy-in from the counselee. The counselor needs to remember that the counselee is not the problem, the problem is the problem, and that people are more than just spiritual beings. The counselee needs to remember that sometimes God uses problems to help a person grow and no major decisions should be made when hungry, anxious, angry, lonely, or tired.