Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Role-Play - Miracle Question with Social Anxiety

Summary

In this conversation, the individual discusses experiencing anxiety, particularly social anxiety, that manifests as jitteriness, nervousness, and a fear of judgment, especially in work-related situations. The therapist uses a 'miracle question' to help the individual imagine a scenario where their anxiety disappears overnight, allowing them to recognize the absence of their symptoms the next day. Through this process, the individual identifies that the most intense feelings of anxiety occur during social interactions at work, particularly in meetings or with colleagues. The therapist plans to explore ways to address this social anxiety in future sessions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is experiencing anxiety, feeling jittery and off, and unable to fully explain why they feel this way.
• 😀 The speaker describes a heightened level of anxiety in social situations, especially when interacting with co-workers.
• 😀 They are unsure if their feelings are due to generalized anxiety or specific triggers like work and social interactions.
• 😀 The speaker undergoes a hypothetical scenario (miracle question) where they imagine waking up without their anxiety, without knowing the miracle has occurred.
• 😀 The speaker recognizes that they wouldn't feel jittery or anxious in the morning routine (e.g., showering, eating breakfast).
• 😀 Anxiety resurfaces when thinking about going to work or socializing with colleagues, particularly in group settings.
• 😀 The speaker notes that when they get to their office, they begin to recognize that their anxiety symptoms are absent.
• 😀 Interactions with co-workers, especially in larger groups, seem to be the primary source of anxiety for the speaker.
• 😀 If the anxiety were to disappear, the speaker would feel relaxed, confident, and clear during work meetings, without worrying about how others perceive them.
• 😀 The scenario illustrates a clear distinction between anxiety levels at home versus at work, with work being the main source of discomfort.
• 😀 The therapeutic approach (miracle question) helps the speaker gain insight into the nature of their social anxiety and how it fluctuates throughout the day.

Q & A

What is the main issue the person is experiencing in the transcript?

The person is experiencing social anxiety, particularly in work-related situations, which manifests as physical symptoms like jitteriness, sweating, and nervousness when interacting with co-workers or in group settings.

How does the person describe their anxiety symptoms throughout the day?

The person feels less anxious in the morning and at home, but their anxiety becomes more pronounced when they think about going to work. The symptoms intensify when they interact with co-workers, especially in group meetings or larger social settings.

What therapeutic technique does the therapist use in the conversation?

The therapist uses the 'miracle question' technique, which involves imagining a scenario where the person’s anxiety is completely gone, and then exploring how they would recognize that the problem has been resolved.

What does the person believe would be different if their anxiety were gone?

The person believes they would feel more confident and relaxed in social situations at work, particularly during meetings. They think they would be able to speak without worry, feel self-assured, and not be concerned about how others perceive them.

When does the person think they would first notice that their anxiety has improved?

The person thinks they would first notice their anxiety improving when they begin interacting with their co-workers. They would no longer experience jitteriness, sweating, or intense worry about being judged or saying the wrong thing.

How does the person feel when they interact with their co-workers?

The person feels nervous, with physical symptoms like sweating and a racing heart. They also experience worry about how their co-workers perceive them, fearing they might be judged or thought to be incompetent.

What specific setting at work makes the person feel the most anxious?

The person feels the most anxious during group meetings or when interacting with multiple co-workers at once. They worry about how they are being perceived and struggle with confidence in these situations.

What would the person’s behavior be like if their anxiety were reduced during a meeting?

The person believes they would feel confident, speak clearly, and not worry about how others are viewing them. They would be more self-assured, comfortable with their contributions, and less concerned about being judged by others.

How does the therapist help the person reflect on their anxiety patterns?

The therapist encourages the person to think about when they first notice their anxiety, how it fluctuates throughout the day, and how their symptoms change depending on the setting (home vs. work). This reflection helps the person gain clarity on their anxiety triggers and patterns.

What is the next step the therapist suggests for addressing the person’s social anxiety?

The therapist suggests that the person continue reflecting on their anxiety patterns and how they can manage it. They will explore specific coping mechanisms and techniques in future sessions to work on reducing the social anxiety, particularly at work.