Plenary 7

Saturday, May 16th 2019

Jacob Pronk Hall

16:00 – 16:30

Solution-Focused Language from an Affective Neuroscientific Perspective

Jaseem Koorankot

IND

PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology,

Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Kozhikode, Kerala.

SFBT is considered as an evidence-based practice (EBP) (Kim, Jordan, Franklin, & Froerer, 2019). From its founding, it is believed that language is at the heart of SFBT, as it is used to help clients to create change in their lives. The process research for SFBT shows that focusing on strengths and resources and deliberate use of language to co-construct meaning in unique ways are among the components of effective SFBT (Franklin, Zhang, Froerer, and Johnson, 2016). The solution-focused therapeutic question leads to reduced negative emotional response and regulation of negative emotional states rather it enhances the positive affect. The plenary focuses on detailing the research conducted to study the effect of solution-focused questions when compared to problem-focused questions on affective experience, neurocognitive components and psychophysiological state. The research provides empirical support for solution-focused brief therapy, showing that the solution-focused questions tested were more effective than the problem-focused questions on making impactful change in positive affect and processing speed. Positive emotional states may trigger durable changes in the structure and function of the brain, which promote further adaptive thoughts and behaviours. The presentation also explains the significance of language in forming therapeutic questions during a therapy session, which have a greater impact on making the change.

By the end of the presentation, the audience can learn how significantly a solution focused question differs from problem focused question during a therapy session and the value of focusing on language while asking therapeutic questions.

Jaseem Koorankot, PhD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist by profession, currently working as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology at Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), India. Jaseem has published many scientific articles in the area of Solution Focused Practice and presented research papers and keynote address in annual conferences of European Brief Therapy Association (EBTA), solution-focused world conferences and many other scientific sessions. Apart from training and practice, he is actively involved in research and won European Brief Therapy Association research grants in 2016 and 2018, as well as a research grant from Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) and Cognitive Science Research Initiative (CSRI)- DST, Govt. of India in 2019. His key research interests are in brief psychotherapy, solution-focused approach, therapeutic language, affective neuroscience, psychotherapy process research, discourse analysis in psychotherapy, and psychometric test development. He is also a trained clinical supervisor of Solution Focused Brief Therapy. He has facilitated several introductory and advanced level workshops on solution focused practice in Europe, India and the Middle East. He has been an advisor as well as an organiser for many international conferences in Europe and India. Jaseem is also the founder of Association of Solution Focused Practices – India (ASFP – I), the only professional body for solution focused practice in India.

X Presentation program with projection (PowerPoint, Prezi)

X Questions and answers.

X Research

X Therapy/counselling/coaching/social work/mental health

X Psychiatry

X Research

X Psychiatry