Solution-Focused Applied Psychology: A Design Science Research Based Protocol

This book presents a research-based solution-focused applied psychology approach (SoFAP-P) that is efficient and effective in helping clients address challenges and can be applied to a wide range of psychological domains.

Lessons learned from preceding psychological models, including psychoanalysis, behavioral therapy, humanistic psychology, family systems therapy and the pioneering contributions of Milton Erickson and the groundbreaking solution-focused therapy of Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, culminate in this innovative SoFAP-P approach. Based on a thorough analysis of many solution-focused case studies, this tested and validated scientifically based protocol can be used as a learning guide to better understand the SoFAP-P, as well as the innovative qualitative methodology used to validate it. Cauffman and Weggeman show how this design science research (DSR) methodology is used to design, test and validate a generic set of actions that yield interventions to effectively apply to solution-focused client cases.

The book demonstrates the importance of SoFAP-P to both psychological science and society and offers a glimpse into its growing potential as an intervention model. Those interested in the field of DSR will benefit from the overview of one of the first applications of DSR methodology in the psychological sciences, as well as students and academics in applied psychology.

Louis Cauffman is a Clinical Psychologist and Business Economist. One of the first to introduce the solution-focused approach in Europe, Louis remains passionate in his further development of the solution-focused approach as an epistemological tool. He is owner-director of SOLT.E.A.M, an international training institute, author of Developing and Sustaining a Successful Family Business: A Solution Focused Guide (Routledge 2022) and Creating Sustainable Results with Solution-Focused Applied Psychology: A Practical Guide for Coaches and Change Facilitators (Routledge 2023).

Mathieu Weggeman is a Full Professor of Organizational Science and Innovation Management at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). At that university, he also obtained his MSc in Industrial Engineering and he holds a PhD in Strategic Management from Tilburg University, Netherlands. In recent years, Weggeman has been particularly committed to further developing and applying the design science research methodology within the Sciences of the Artificial (Simon, 1969).