Resource Question Pool — 30 Solution-Focused Questions with Guidance

GenoEasy template · Version 2.0 · As of 2026-06-03 · Reading time approx. 18 min

Practical material for counselors, coaches, and therapists. This template contains 30 field-tested resource- and solution-oriented questions, sorted by past / present / future, with application notes and a scaling section. They are based on the work of Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg (Brief Family Therapy Center, Milwaukee) and its further development within the German-language coaching context.

What is resource orientation?

Resource orientation is a core principle of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) — developed in the 1980s at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg together with their team. The method largely dispenses with problem analysis and directs attention consistently toward what is already working, what clients are capable of, what matters to them, and where they want to go.

Three core principles describe the attitude: If something works, do more of it. If something doesn't work, do something different. If a problem isn't there, don't fix it. The approach is not naively optimistic — it acknowledges the client's suffering, but it trusts in their self-healing competencies and works more briefly than problem-oriented schools.

From the original therapy method, a broad movement has emerged in the German-speaking world across counseling, coaching, social work, and schools. Important milestones are the works of Steve de Shazer and Yvonne Dolan (Mehr als ein Wunder), the Carl-Auer library, Mark McKergow & Paul Z. Jackson (The Solutions Focus), as well as the German-language coaching literature (Bamberger, Hargens, Schmidt).

The 30 questions presented here were developed within this tradition and formulated for German-language counseling practice. They are not a rigid list but suggestions — the best question is always the one that fits the moment.

Contents: Theoretical background · 10 questions about the past · 10 questions about the present · 10 questions about the future · Scaling section (5 examples) · Application tips · FAQ · Print-note cover · printable 2-page overview to take along · Sources.

Theoretical background — solution focus on one page

The solution-focused approach rests on few but stable assumptions. First: Problems and solutions are not symmetrical — resolving a problem often has nothing to do with the paths that gave rise to it. Instead of working through the past, one can direct attention to the next small step forward. Second: Clients are the experts on their own lives — the counselor asks questions, they do not know the answers in advance. Third: Change is permanent and inevitable; even in seemingly stuck situations there are exceptions in which the problem is absent or weaker — these exceptions are the key.

The central tools of the method are the miracle question, scaling questions, exception questions, and coping questions — all resource-oriented, all easy to formulate, all precise in their effect.

Important for professional practice: resource orientation must not devalue real distress (toxic positivity) and is not the first choice in acute crises (suicidality, violence, acute trauma). Validation, safety, and stabilization come before solution.

10 questions about the past — What has already carried you?

Questions about the past do not look for causes but for exceptions, resources, and coping experiences. They activate the implicit knowledge that clients have already coped with a great deal — something easily forgotten when the current problem overshadows everything.

V01 — Exception question, basic

Question. "When was the last time the problem was already a little easier — and what was different back then?"

Application. Classic exception question after de Shazer. In almost every chronic description there are moments of less distress. The question opens them up and often provides the first hint of effective strategies.

V02 — Coping question

Question. "How did you actually manage to keep it from getting even worse?"

Application. Honors the client's invisible coping work. Especially powerful with chronic burdens, where "nothing is moving forward" dominates the feeling. Validates without pushing.

V03 — Pre-session change

Question. "What has already changed since we agreed on the appointment (or since you signed up)?"

Application. Classic opening question. Surprisingly often clients name changes that arose from the mere decision to seek help — a good starting point for the further work.

V04 — Strength story

Question. "Which strength helped you through the most difficult time of your life?"

Application. Activates biographical resources. Use caution with acute trauma — secure stability first. With stable clients very productive: strengths from old crises are often still available today.

V05 — Who helped?

Question. "Who was the most important person who helped you back then? What did they do?"

Application. Makes the social support network visible and activates it for the current situation. Often provides anchors that the client can reconnect with today.

V06 — What worked back then?

Question. "When you think of an earlier crisis you overcame — what actually helped back then?"

Application. Gathers concrete strategies from one's own experience. Often hints emerge that would be useful now too — the client had simply forgotten them.

V07 — What characterized you back then?

Question. "Who were you 10 years ago? Which quality did you have back then that you feel less of today?"

Application. Makes biographical discontinuity visible and opens the question of whether earlier parts can be made available again. Use carefully — do not create nostalgic idealization.

V08 — Turning points

Question. "Which turning point in your life comes to mind first — and what made it possible?"

Application. Activates the implicit knowledge about one's own capacity for change. Clients who believe themselves unchangeable are surprised at how many turning points they actually recall.

V09 — Lost resource

Question. "Which ability did you once take for granted that you miss today?"

Application. Identifies concrete resource candidates for reactivation. Combines well with the scaling question: "On a scale of 1–10 — how much is this ability still present today?"

V10 — What would have supported you back then?

Question. "If you could meet your past self today — what would you tell yourself?"

Application. Reflective variant. Activates the inner counselor and often brings out surprisingly precise self-insights. Works very well as a session closing.

10 questions about the present — What is working anyway?

Questions about the present direct attention to what is already working now — even in phases of great distress. They are not a distraction from suffering but a widening of the view: both may be true — the problem and what carries you.

G01 — What is working anyway?

Question. "What in your life is going well right now despite everything — even if it's only a small area?"

Application. Classic opening in the deepening phase. Gives the client permission to feel both — distress and functioning.

G02 — Who would notice first?

Question. "Who in your environment would be the first to notice if you were doing better? How?"

Application. Connects resource-oriented with relationship-oriented logic. Makes the social visibility of one's own state clear and often provides concrete behavioral markers that can serve as mini-goals.

G03 — Competence inventory

Question. "Which three things are you really good at — even if you take them for granted?"

Application. Self-appreciation. Clients systematically underestimate their competencies, especially in phases of distress. The question opens up a healing change of perspective.

G04 — Sources of energy

Question. "What gives you energy today, this week, this month — even if it's small?"

Application. Concrete resource collection. Helps make the tiniest anchors in everyday life visible and to nurture them deliberately.

G05 — Social support today

Question. "Who in your life believes in you most strongly — and how do you notice it?"

Application. Activates the support network in the present. Especially with clients who feel isolated, the question is often a surprise.

G06 — What am I proud of?

Question. "What are you — despite everything — a little proud of from the last few months?"

Application. Self-appreciation in the closest sense. Use very gently with depressed clients; with the exhausted and self-deprecating often a door-opener.

G07 — What is actually good enough?

Question. "What in your life is actually good enough — without you having to do it perfectly?"

Application. Central with perfectionism themes and burnout. Makes the concept of good-enough (D. W. Winnicott) experiential.

G08 — Trace of effectiveness

Question. "When this week did you do something that really had an effect — even if it was only a small thing?"

Application. Gathers self-efficacy experiences and corrects the feeling of powerlessness. Even very small successes count.

G09 — Despite everything

Question. "What did you NOT lose in this difficult phase — what has remained with you?"

Application. Identity support. Makes visible that the self is not absorbed into the suffering. Especially important in phases of grief and after separations.

G10 — Tonight / tomorrow morning

Question. "What would be a little easier tonight / tomorrow morning if this session was helpful now?"

Application. Classic transfer question. Connects the session with everyday life and provides concrete observation tasks for the coming week.

10 questions about the future — Miracle question, goals, small steps

Questions about the future open up the space of possibility. They are the heart of solution focus — the miracle question is considered its most famous form. Important: questions about the future are not a command to change but an invitation to mentally play through change.

Z01 — Miracle question, basic

Question. "Suppose a miracle happened tonight and your problem were solved — what would be the first thing you'd notice tomorrow morning?"

Application. The classic miracle question after Insoo Kim Berg. Don't ask too early — anyone who has not yet sufficiently named the problem experiences it as being skipped over. After the question, allow time, often deepening it with further concretizing questions.

Z02 — Miracle question, circular

Question. "And who in your family would be the first to notice that the miracle has happened? How?"

Application. Connects the miracle question with a triadic perspective. Often provides very concrete behavioral markers that serve as mini-goals.

Z03 — Smallest next step

Question. "What would be the smallest step in this direction that you could actually take tonight?"

Application. Concretization. The miracle question opens the vision, this question makes it manageable. "Smallest" is emphasized — not "the most important".

Z04 — One week ahead

Question. "When we see each other again in a week and things have gotten a bit better — how would you recognize it when you get up on Wednesday?"

Application. Concrete time anchor. Makes change between sessions observable and provides a follow-up task.

Z05 — Courage without risk

Question. "What would you do if you knew for certain that it would succeed?"

Application. Frees the imagination from risk assessment and makes genuine wishes visible. Not to be understood as an obligation — the question produces clarity, not pressure to act.

Z06 — In three years

Question. "When you look back on this year three years from now — what will have seemed important to you in retrospect?"

Application. Medium time perspective. Reduces acute pressure and creates prioritization. Especially with clients under "everything must happen immediately" pressure.

Z07 — Wish variant (small)

Question. "What would be one small thing that may be better next week — without everything having to change at once?"

Application. Reduces fear of change and works with small doses. Very effective with clients who are afraid of change.

Z08 — If you knew what you wanted

Question. "Suppose you knew exactly what you wanted — how would you then describe the next step?"

Application. With indecision. The question bypasses the block "but I don't know what I want" through the "suppose".

Z09 — What will you keep?

Question. "If much changes — what do you want to keep no matter what?"

Application. Preservation question. Honors that change should not change everything. Makes visible the cores of identity that carry you through change.

Z10 — When you are well again

Question. "When you are well again — how will you know that you are finished here?"

Application. End-of-counseling question. Connects the desired state with the counseling mandate and creates clarity about the counselor's role.

Scaling section — 5 typical examples with follow-up questions

Scaling questions are perhaps the most effective tool of solution focus. They transform vague states into tangible quantities and enable working in small steps. Important: the scale is language, not a measuring instrument — whoever says "4.5" has 4.5; there is no arguing about it.

Scale 1 — Where do you stand today?

Main question. "On a scale from 0 to 10 — 0 is the worst phase, 10 is exactly what you want to achieve here — where do you stand today?"

Follow-up questions. "What are the reasons that you are already at X today, not at 0?" ("What keeps you afloat?") · "What would be one point higher? How would you notice it?" · "What would be the smallest step from X to X+1?"

Scale 2 — Where would good enough be?

Main question. "On the same scale — where would 'good enough' be for you? Where would you not need to be at 10?"

Follow-up questions. "What would you allow yourself at X that you still forbid yourself today?" · "What would you let go of at X that you do today?"

Scale 3 — Confidence

Main question. "On a scale from 0 to 10 — how confident are you that things will continue / that you'll manage it?"

Follow-up questions. "What would raise your confidence by one point?" · "Who in your environment would rate you higher than you rate yourself?"

Scale 4 — Readiness

Main question. "On a scale from 0 to 10 — how ready are you to change something?"

Follow-up questions. "What keeps you from being higher?" · "What would be needed for you to be one point higher tomorrow?"

Scale 5 — Relationship quality (couple / family)

Main question. "On a scale from 0 to 10 — how close / trusting / livable is your relationship with X right now?"

Follow-up questions. "Where would you and X each individually be on the scale?" · "What would move you one point up?" · "What would move X one point up?"

Application tips for practice

Validate before asking. Before you ask in a resource-oriented way, the client must feel heard. Toxic positivity arises when solution comes before acknowledgment of suffering. Rule of thumb: validate for 5 minutes first, only then the miracle question.

Honor small steps. Whoever goes from 3 to 4 has a 25% increase. Clients underestimate this. Honor even very small movements — the appreciation itself is an intervention.

Concretize. A vague answer ("I'd feel better") is not a usable solution — stay with it: "How would you concretely notice that when you wake up on Thursday?"

Compliments. Solution focus recognizes the direct compliment as a legitimate intervention. "It impresses me that you still go to work under this burden." Compliments must be honest — no exaggeration.

Reframing. Solution focus often reinterprets — but not moralizingly. "You say 'stubborn', I hear 'clear in your stance'." Use only if the client is willing to take up the reframing.

FAQ — Six central questions from practice

1. What to do if the client says "I don't know" to the miracle question? Don't give up. Vary it: "Suppose a kindly friend told you tomorrow morning that she notices something different about you — what could that be?"

2. Does this also work with clients who see nothing good? Yes, but with patience. With severely depressed clients, micro-scale movements ("from 1.2 to 1.3") are already a success. Ask about the very smallest changes.

3. Is resource orientation the same as 'positive thinking'? No, expressly not. It is attention-directing, not denial of reality. Problems remain named — solutions are additionally made visible.

4. How many scaling questions per session? One to two main scales are enough, with several follow-up questions per scale. More dilutes.

5. Can I use the miracle question several times? Yes — it is robust and brings something new with each use. However, not in every session — it needs its frame.

6. How do I combine solution focus with genogram work? Very well: in the genogram the family landscape becomes visible, then resource questions activate the supports from this system ("Who in your family has already given you good advice?", "Which family tradition carries you?"). Both schools complement each other productively.

Sources and further reading

Original works (Brief Family Therapy Center, Milwaukee)

• de Shazer, S. (1985): Keys to Solution in Brief Therapy. Norton.
• de Shazer, S. (1988): Clues — Investigating Solutions in Brief Therapy. Norton. (German: Der Dreh, Carl-Auer.)
• de Shazer, S. (1994): Words Were Originally Magic. Norton.
• de Shazer, S., Dolan, Y. (2007): Mehr als ein Wunder — Lösungsfokussierte Kurzzeittherapie heute. Carl-Auer.
• Berg, I. K., Miller, S. D. (1992): Working with the Problem Drinker — A Solution-Focused Approach. Norton.
• Berg, I. K. (1994): Family Based Services — A Solution-Focused Approach. Norton.

German-language standard works

• Bamberger, G. (2015): Lösungsorientierte Beratung. Beltz, 5th ed.
• Hargens, J. (ed.) (2019): Klassiker der lösungsorientierten Beratung. Borgmann.
• Schmidt, G. (2018): Einführung in die hypnosystemische Therapie und Beratung. Carl-Auer, 9th ed.
• Schlippe, A. von, Schweitzer, J. (2019): Lehrbuch der systemischen Therapie und Beratung I. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 4th ed.

Application literature (coaching / social work)

• McKergow, M., Jackson, P. Z. (2007): The Solutions Focus — Making Coaching and Change Simple. Nicholas Brealey, 2nd ed.
• Sparrer, I. (2009): Wunder, Lösung und System — Lösungsfokussierte systemische Strukturaufstellungen. Carl-Auer.

Freely available

• Carl-Auer Lexikon — keywords "Lösungsfokussierung", "Wunderfrage", "Skalierungsfragen". https://www.carl-auer.de/magazin/systemisches-lexikon
• DGSF Wissensportal. https://dgsf.org/service/wissensportal
• SFCT (European Brief Therapy Association) Resources. https://www.ebta.eu