Emerging out of the traditions of Ericksonian, strategic, and solution-focused therapies, this book redescribes and reconceives brief therapy in light of postmodern and pragmatic thinking.
The key question, underlying both the authors' research and their consultative conversations, is 'How can we create a space for dialogue and wonder, where purpose, preferences, and possibilities can emerge?'
This question leads to many others, which form the basis for the chapters of the book. Each inquiry is illustrated by case excerpts that show where this approach diverges from strategic and solution-focused questioning. The situations are difficult--crack addiction, marital separation, suicidal despair, etc.--and yet the consultant's stance of being 'curious with' the client leads to signs of hope and pathways toward a better future. In this pragmatic approach, previously unspoken desires take precedence over goals set by others, and what is preferred becomes possible.