What is the Miracle Question?
Thursday, May 9, 2024.
History of the Miracle Question…
The Miracle Question was first introduced by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, the founders of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), in the 1980s.
De Shazer and Berg developed SFBT as a response to the limitations of traditional psychotherapy, which often focused on analyzing past problems rather than finding solutions.
The concept of the Miracle Question was influenced by Milton Erickson's strategic therapy, which emphasized the importance of creating positive change through brief, goal-directed interventions. De Shazer and Berg adapted Erickson's ideas and developed the miracle question as a way to help clients imagine a future where their problems were resolved.
Solution-focused therapy (SFT) is a goal-oriented therapeutic approach that I dearly love that focuses on solutions rather than problems.
One key technique used in SFT is the "Miracle Question," a tool designed to help clients envision a future without their current problems. This essay explores the history of the Miracle Question, its development within the context of SFT, and its implications in an uncertain age.
The Miracle Question Technique…
The Miracle Question is a deceptively simple yet powerful technique used in SFT.
It typically goes something like this:
"Suppose tonight, while you are asleep, a miracle happens. When you wake up tomorrow, what will be the first small sign that will make you think the miracle has occurred? What else will you notice?"
This question encourages clients to imagine a future where their problems have been miraculously solved and to identify the small steps they would take towards that goal.
By asking the Miracle Question, therapists help clients shift their focus from the problem to the solution, empowering them to envision a future where change is possible. This exercise can be transformative, as it allows clients to tap into their own resources and creativity to find solutions to their problems.
Linda Metcalf's Contribution…
Linda Metcalf, a renowned therapist and author, has made significant contributions to the field of SFT, particularly in her work on the Miracle Question.
Metcalf emphasizes the importance of asking the Miracle Question respectfully and non-judgmentally, allowing clients to explore their hopes and aspirations freely. She also highlights the therapist's role in guiding clients through the intimate process of envisioning a future where their problems are resolved.
Her Miracle Question book presents challenging questions for clients and techniques for breaking free from harmful and limiting ways of seeing the world and ourselves.
The existential power of the Miracle Question is that it restores power back to our own preferential awareness and invites us to explore and rely on ourselves.
I found her book stimulating and interesting. I am a fan of well-crafted interventions. Dr. Metcalf’s specific questioning techniques promote personal responsibility in clients and serve as catalysts for change.
Implications in an Uncertain Age…
The Miracle Question assumes an added significance in today's uncertain and rapidly changing world.
The COVID-19 pandemic, political upheavals, and economic uncertainties have created a sense of instability and fear for many people. In this context, the Miracle Question can be a powerful tool for helping individuals envision a future where they feel safe, secure, and fulfilled.
The Miracle Question can also be applied to larger societal issues, such as climate change and social injustice. By encouraging folks to imagine a future where these problems have been addressed, the Miracle Question can inspire action and change on a global scale.
Someone wrote a song about that, but he’s been gone longer than he was here…
Final thoughts
The Miracle Question is a simple yet profound technique that has the power to transform lives. Envisioning a future where your problems are solved, empowers you to notice preferences and take positive steps toward change.
In an uncertain age, the Miracle Question might offer some persistent, preferential hope and inspiration, reminding us that no matter how bleak the present may seem, the future is populated with our preferences and possibilities if we choose to activate that imagination within us.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
De Shazer, S., & Berg, I. K. (1985). The miracle question. In S. de Shazer (Ed.), Keys to solution in brief therapy (pp. 76-78). W.W. Norton & Company.
Erickson, M. H. (1980). Innovative hypnotherapy. Irvington Publishers.
Metcalf, L. (2007). Miracle Question: Answer it and Save Your Life., Crown House.
