Therapeutic interventions such as the exception question, miracle question, and scaling questions are most typically evident in which approach?

Therapeutic interventions such as the exception question, miracle question, and scaling questions are most typically evident in which approach?

• A. Reality therapy
• B. Narrative therapy
• C. Multi-modal therapy
• D. Solution-focused brief therapy

Answer: (D)

These interventions are hallmark tools of solution-focused brief therapy. The miracle question invites clients to imagine a future in which the problem is suddenly resolved, which reframes goals toward what life would look like and what small, practical steps could lead there—keeping attention on solutions and desired outcomes rather than on the problem itself. Exception questions highlight times when the issue didn’t occur or was less severe, helping clients recognize existing resources, strengths, and strategies they can reuse. Scaling questions provide a concrete way to measure where the client is now and what changes would move them a little closer to their goal, turning abstract change into actionable steps and encouraging collaboration on a plan. In short, this approach is brief, goal-directed, and client-led, focusing on building solutions from what works. Other approaches emphasize different emphases—Reality therapy on present behavior and responsibility, Narrative therapy on reauthoring stories and externalizing problems, and Multi-modal therapy on a broad, eclectic mix of techniques—rather than these three core questions.

These interventions are hallmark tools of solution-focused brief therapy. The miracle question invites clients to imagine a future in which the problem is suddenly resolved, which reframes goals toward what life would look like and what small, practical steps could lead there—keeping attention on solutions and desired outcomes rather than on the problem itself. Exception questions highlight times when the issue didn’t occur or was less severe, helping clients recognize existing resources, strengths, and strategies they can reuse. Scaling questions provide a concrete way to measure where the client is now and what changes would move them a little closer to their goal, turning abstract change into actionable steps and encouraging collaboration on a plan. In short, this approach is brief, goal-directed, and client-led, focusing on building solutions from what works. Other approaches emphasize different emphases—Reality therapy on present behavior and responsibility, Narrative therapy on reauthoring stories and externalizing problems, and Multi-modal therapy on a broad, eclectic mix of techniques—rather than these three core questions.