Scaling is a technique that helps both counselors and clients make complex problems seem
more concrete and tangible (Murphy, 2015). Scaling originated within behavioral approaches to
counseling, and today, it is largely used in solution-focused brief counseling (SFBC), which was
started by de Shazer and arose out of strategic family therapy (Lethem, 2002).
Because client thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are not always realistic or concrete, scaling
questions provide a way to move from these more abstract concepts toward an achievable goal
(Sklare, 2014). For instance, the counselor can say, “On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 represents
the worst that things could be and 10 represents the best that things could be, where are you
today?” Scaling questions can also help clients to set tasks that will allow them to move to the
next rank-order number. In this way, Scaling can help measure client progress over time.
Scaling techniques give clients a sense of control and responsibility over their counseling
because scaling techniques help clients specify goals for change as well as measure their
progress toward accomplishing those goals.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE SCALING
TECHNIQUE
Scaling questions usually involve asking the client to give a number between 1 and 10 that
indicates where the client is at some specified point (Murphy, 2015). The counselor usually
designates 10 as the more positive end of the scale (thus higher numbers equal a more positive
outcome or experience).
Scaling can be used to identify goals or to help the client progress toward an already
established goal. Clients can identify goals by identifying specific behavioral indicators that
signify they have reached a higher number (7, 8, 9, 10) on the scale.
Once a goal has been established, scaling techniques can be used to help the client move
toward reaching the goal. After the client has identified where he is on the scale (with 10
meaning that he has reached the goal), the counselor can ask questions to discover what small
steps the client could take to reach the next rank-order number (Corcoran, 1999). Questions
include “What would you take as an indication that you have moved to a number 6?” and “What
would you be doing then?” (Lethem, 2002). Scaling also provides an opportunity for counselors
to compliment clients’ progress by using questions such as “How did you get from a 1 to a 5?”
VARIATIONS OF THE SCALING
TECHNIQUE
Instead of using a scale of 1 to 10 for small children, scaling can be shown pictorially (Lethem,
2002). For instance, professional counselors can use a range of facial expressions, from
frowning to smiling, or numbered steps leading to the desired change. When using scaling in a
group, it is important to ask each person for a rating. Differences should be explored to discover
the reasons behind the differences. In addition, relationship scaling questions can be used to
help clients identify the perspectives of other
people in their lives (Corcoran, 1999). Clients can be asked “How do you think your parents (or
teachers) would rank you?” These answers can then be compared to the client’s self-rating,
which often forces clients to realize what actions they need to take in order to show others the
improvements they’ve made (Corcoran, 1997). Ex. What would it take to raise it by one point?
What makes the number not lower?
On scale of 1-10, How helpful is this behaviour for you? ( like yelling, drugs, hitting, aggressive
driving)
On scale of 1-10, How unhelpful is this behaviour for you? How confident are you that you can
calm down/remain calm/ stay sober.
Key Steps to Success in Counselling
There are FOUR key steps to being successful in the counselling process:
1. 1. Willingness
Many people who need counselling either will not seek it or they come for therapy and are not
willing to make any changes in their lives. They want others to change; they want their
environment or circumstances to change but they are unwilling to do anything different
6. themselves. Many individuals have difficulty with the process of change because it can create
anxiety getting outside one’s comfort zone (the known is better than the unknown). They need to
have the courage (or not be afraid) to acquire new habits; try new methods of dong things, and
changing thinking patterns or behaviors which can take a great deal of energy and time.
Motivation
Some individuals will tell you that they are willing to make changes in their life but lack the drive
or energy to actually do so. They will begin the process by seeking therapy and they will
express a desire for change but will not make the necessary effort to carry out the process. Only
when an individual has both the willingness to change and the motivation to so, will the
counseling processes have a high probability of success.
Commitment
10. The old adage, “quitters never win and winners never quit” basically explains what is needed
for
the counselling process to succeed. Many of us want things right now because of the lack of
delayed gratification. However, people who believe that “anything worth having is worth waiting
for”, will persist in the pursuit of change. The counselling process requires commitment and
patience. The key to success in counselling, or in any task in life, aside from having the
willingness and the motivation to change (adapt or learn) is to stay the course of the therapy
and realise that interpersonal problems develop over many years and it will take time to resolve.
Faith
Faith is the final and most critical step in creating success. If a person does not believe in
themselves or in what they are doing, it becomes almost impossible to accomplish any project
or task. In other words, the more you believe in something, the more you increase your chances
of being successful at it. Faith in a trained and well-educated counselor is essential for success
of the counseling process.
