英文原文
‘Exceptions’ are times when the problem was not present, when it was not as bad, or times when the client was managing the problem more effectively. The solution-focused therapist is constantly on the look out for the mention of possible exceptions, and seeks to explore or ‘un-pack’ them. ‘Exception questions’ or questions that explore exceptions in the past remind clients of times when things were better, and this helps to inspire hope that things can be better again (Pichot, 2007; p125-126). Exploring the circumstances around exceptions, such as what the client was doing differently, reveals clues about solutions that could be revisited or developed further (Kim, 2008; O'Connell, 2003; Pichot, 2001). Questions that explore exceptions include: 'How did you do that? What is happening during those times? What are you doing that is helpful? Could you do it again?' (O'Connell, 2003; p7). A key ingredient in making the most of exceptions is to assume that the client had some degree of control or influence over the circumstance around the exception, unless there is strong evidence to the contrary (Nelson & Thomas, 2007; p20-21). Experiential modalities such as outreach and residential settings in which workers interact with young people offer opportunities for exceptions to be created in real time and observed directly. When exceptions are found the worker encourages the client to keep doing what worked and even expand on it if possible (see O’Connell, 2005; p58 for illustration). Exploration of exceptions can provide opportunities for ‘competence-seeking’ or searching out the skills, strengths and other qualities that the client possesses but may have forgotten about. It also provides opportunities to identify strategies that do not help and which may need to be discarded (O'Connell, 2005; p59). If exceptions to do not emerge naturally in conversation there are questions that can be used to elicit them such as: There are times I am sure, when you would expect the problem to be there but its not. How do you get that to happen? When is it less intense? When don’t you notice it so much? The scaling question is a technique for drawing attention to times when the problem was absent or less severe and create opportunities to explore exceptions (Pichot, 2007; p125). Ask the client to rate the severity of the problem today or in recent days with 0=no problem and 10=most severe ever. If the problem is severe today ask the client to think of a time when it was less severe (i.e. rating 0-4) and then to describe that situation. If the problem is less severe today ask them to think of a time when it was more severe (i.e. 7-10) and ask them to identify what is different now. For more on scaling see Evaluation. Take care not to be overly zealous or combative in the use of exception seeking. A tell-tale sign is the frequent use of ‘yeah but’ statements. This happens when the therapist seeks to challenge every negative client statement with a previously stated fact that appears to contradict the negative statement e.g. ‘Yeah but what about the time that you ...’. This can feel like the therapist does not understand or is dismissing what the client is trying to say (Pichot, 2007; p125).
中文翻译
“例外”是指问题不存在、不那么严重或来访者更有效地处理问题的时刻。焦点解决治疗师不断留意可能提及的例外，并寻求探索或“拆解”它们。 “例外问题”或探索过去例外的问题提醒来访者事情曾经更好的时刻，这有助于激发希望，相信事情可以再次变好（Pichot, 2007; p125-126）。 探索例外周围的情况，例如来访者当时做了什么不同的事情，揭示了可以重新审视或进一步发展的解决方案的线索（Kim, 2008; O'Connell, 2003; Pichot, 2001）。 探索例外的问题包括：“你是怎么做到的？那些时刻发生了什么？你在做什么有帮助的事情？你能再做一次吗？”（O'Connell, 2003; p7）。 充分利用例外的关键要素是假设来访者对例外周围的情况有一定程度的控制或影响力，除非有强有力的相反证据（Nelson & Thomas, 2007; p20-21）。 体验式模式，如外展和住宿环境，工作者与年轻人互动，提供了实时创建和直接观察例外的机会。当发现例外时，工作者鼓励来访者继续做有效的事情，并在可能的情况下扩展它（参见O’Connell, 2005; p58的说明）。 探索例外可以提供“能力寻求”的机会，或寻找来访者拥有但可能忘记的技能、优势和其他品质。它还提供了识别无帮助且可能需要放弃的策略的机会（O'Connell, 2005; p59）。 如果例外在对话中没有自然出现，可以使用一些问题来引出它们，例如：我确信有些时候，你预期问题会出现但它没有。你是怎么让它发生的？什么时候它不那么强烈？什么时候你不太注意到它？ 量表问题是一种技巧，用于引起对问题不存在或较不严重时刻的注意，并创造探索例外的机会（Pichot, 2007; p125）。 请来访者以0=无问题和10=最严重来评估今天或最近几天问题的严重程度。如果今天问题严重，请来访者想一个较不严重的时刻（即评分0-4），然后描述那种情况。如果今天问题较不严重，请他们想一个更严重的时刻（即7-10），并请他们指出现在有什么不同。更多关于量表的信息，请参见评估部分。 注意在使用例外探寻时不要过于热情或对抗。一个明显的迹象是频繁使用“是的，但是”陈述。这发生在治疗师试图用先前陈述的似乎与负面陈述相矛盾的事实来挑战每一个来访者的负面陈述时，例如“是的，但是那次你……”。这可能让来访者感觉治疗师不理解或忽视了他们想说的话（Pichot, 2007; p125）。
文章概要
本文介绍了焦点解决疗法中的例外探寻技术，这是一种在目标探索中寻找问题不存在或较不严重时刻的方法。文章阐述了例外的定义、探索例外的问题（如“你是怎么做到的？”）、量表技术的应用，以及如何在实践中创建和观察例外。它强调了假设来访者对例外有控制力的重要性，并提醒避免过度对抗的探寻方式。结合关键词“Exception-finding techniques in goal exploration”，本文展示了如何通过发现例外来激发希望、识别解决方案线索，并促进能力寻求，从而有效支持目标达成。
高德明老师的评价
用12岁初中生可以听懂的语音来重复翻译的内容：想象一下，你有时候会遇到困难，但也有一些时候，困难好像不见了或者变小了，这就是“例外”。焦点解决治疗师就像侦探一样，专门找这些好时刻，问你怎么做到的，让你想起自己其实很厉害，事情可以变好。他们还会用打分的方法，比如0分是没问题，10分是最严重，帮你发现什么时候问题不那么糟，这样你就能找到更多好办法。
焦点解决心理学理论评价：例外探寻技术完美体现了焦点解决心理学的核心理念，它聚焦于赞美来访者的资源和能力，而非问题本身。通过探索例外时刻，治疗师帮助来访者从目标视角出发，识别那些已经存在的解决方案线索，这强化了“小改变带来大不同”的未来可能性。这种方法避免了评判，而是鼓励来访者看到自己的影响力，从而激发内在动力，促进积极变化。
在实践上可以应用的领域和可以解决人们的十个问题：例外探寻技术可广泛应用于心理咨询、教育辅导、职场管理和家庭关系等领域。它可以解决人们的十个问题，包括提升自信心、缓解焦虑情绪、改善人际关系、增强学习动力、克服拖延习惯、管理压力挑战、培养积极心态、促进团队合作、支持个人成长和实现生活目标。通过聚焦例外，人们能更清晰地看到自己的优势，从而在目标探索中迈出坚实的步伐。