Solution-focused training for Lifeline telephone counsellors.

News item posted 17 September 2007

News item updated 1 May 2008

Michael Durrant and Frances Huber have recently conducted training for Lifeline Telephone Counsellors in two Lifeline regions in NSW.

Michael was joined for both presentations by Frances Huber, a psychologist and Solution-focused therapist who has extensive experience as a Lifeline Telephone Counsellor and Telephone Counsellor Supervisor/Consultant. They explored with participants the doing of Solution-focused Brief Therapy when you lack the visual, non-verbal cues and responses that many of us take for granted.

This training was conducted in late 2007 for Lifeline South Coast NSW. Participants were about 40 telephone counsellors, some of whom have decades of experience and have volunteered their services since Lifeline was established on the South Coast nearly 40 years ago. Participants were challenged by an approach to counselling that differs markedly from the largely "reflective listening" model in which they were trained; however, left keen to try incorporating into their counselling questions that encourage callers to begin to identify strengths and competence and to begin to see possibilities for difference.

In March 2008, Frances and Michael conducted the training for Lifeline Northern Beaches, for a group of telephone counsellors and face-to-face counsellors. All found the Solution-focused ideas and techniques readily applicable to their particuar situations.