The Miracle Question Technique

This chapter discussed the concept of encouraging clients to imagine a future with no problems and then try to identify how they resolved the problems to get to that result. The miracle question technique forces clients to consider what it is they want (positive), rather than what they do not want (negative), in order to focus clients on a solution rather than the problem. This technique helps clients to form a more concrete idea of what “better” looks like so they will move toward finding a way to define what it is they want. The book uses the miracle question technique in the case of Jesse, who has been referred because of conflicts in his home. The counselor uses the miracle question technique to help move Jesse toward finding a positive way to interact with his parents. I thought that this kind of technique can be very helpful when dealing with a client/student that is particularly negative in their manner of thinking. Because the client may only be focusing on the problem, it may be difficult for them to see a positive solution. This technique moves clients toward a more behavioral-action oriented goal for changing their own behavior and focusing on a more positive outcome (the situation changing for the better).