What technique would a therapist use to help a client identify exceptions to their feelings of unhappiness?

Utilizing the Solution-focused model is the appropriate technique for helping a client identify exceptions to their feelings of unhappiness. This therapeutic approach centers on identifying and amplifying solutions rather than focusing on problems. In Solution-focused therapy, clients are encouraged to recognize times when they are not experiencing their problems—essentially, moments of happiness or satisfaction, even if they are fleeting. By highlighting these exceptions, the therapist helps the client understand what circumstances led to these positive experiences, which can empower them to create pathways toward more consistent feelings of happiness.

This model emphasizes the client's strengths and resources and works on building a vision of a preferred future, which can be especially effective for clients feeling overwhelmed by persistent unhappiness. Through skilled questioning, the therapist can guide clients in exploring these exceptions to their negative feelings and leveraging those insights for change.