Coach/ Trainer: Debbie Hogan

Dates: 5, 12, 19, 26 Oct 2026

Time: SGT 5 – 8 pm

Delivery Method: Online

Utilization can be seen in the way practitioners use the client’s own words, hopes, strengths, previous successes, and everyday knowledge as material for change. A client’s description of “just wanting things to be calmer” becomes a doorway into exploring what calm would look like. A small exception—“It was a little better last Tuesday”—becomes evidence that change is already possible. Even uncertainty, hesitation, or difficulty can be used constructively by asking, “How have you managed to keep going despite this?”

Erickson’s utilization principle helped shape one of the central assumptions of Solution Focused Practice: clients already possess resources, abilities, relationships, and experiences that can contribute to meaningful change. The role of the practitioner is to notice, amplify, and make use of these resources in ways that support the client’s preferred future. His work reminds practitioners that nothing the client brings is wasted. Every response, story, strength, exception, and hope can become useful when approached with curiosity, respect, and creativity.

Being aware of this important aspect, enables us to stayed turned to possible golden nuggets as a key in meaningful change.