Solution Focused Therapy is a respectful, collaborative approach that focuses on clients building their solutions, creating change by focusing on their strengths and capabilities and opening to the possibilities in their lives. The orientation is generally present and future, looking for and strengthening things that are working to move towards the client’s preferred future. Particular words and language are used to make useful changes. It is a hope-filled view of clients being resourceful and able to create their solutions in their changing lives.

In this study, I focused on the details of what occurs during Solution Focused complimenting sequences, complimenting being one of the strengthening techniques used. The study had three clients, each with three sessions of counselling. The clients and counsellor reflected after each of the sessions on their experiences of complimenting using a questionnaire or questions. All the sessions were transcribed, and the complimenting sequences identified, then additional more detailed notation was undertaken using additional coding techniques.

I used Qualitative Research methods for the study. The research data were the transcriptions, my observational analytical memos, reflections in my journal and counselling notes. Using Thematic Analysis techniques, I coded the data, then identified and named each of the themes. I identified several themes: 1) the therapeutic relationship, 2) long arms, long tails, 3) messiness, and, finally 4) hope arises?

These findings and discussion I hope are a useful contribution to practice-based research on Solution Focused counselling, particularly bringing to attention the value of Solution Focused complimenting.