I don't believe in miracles: using the ecological validity model to adapt the miracle question to match the client's cultural preferences and characteristics

The Miracle Question (MQ) is a characteristic feature of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). However, there are times when the terminology of the Miracle Question may not fit the worldview of the client. The main objective of this article is to systematically review the various ways the MQ was adapted and the process of adaptation followed by therapists. The systematic review yielded 24 articles that showed the various ways of adapting the MQ substituting "miracle" with following words/phrases: a fresh start, dreams, at your best, harmony with people and life, click your fingers, something big is possible, and on track. The review highlighted a gap that many therapists did not follow a framework when adapting the MQ. Moreover, the review suggests the use of an expanded cultural adaptation framework based on the Ecological Validity Model, Hofstede's cultural dimensions of national culture and a client's time orientation provides clinical guidelines to help therapists' adapt MQ and more broadly any intervention to match the client's cultural preferences, values and beliefs. The framework includes the following cultural dimensions for consideration when adapting an intervention: (a) cultural sayings/ symbols; (b) cultural customs/traditions/values; (c) cultural definitions of success in developing goals; (d) where a client lies on the collectivist-individualist continuum; (e) the importance of the role of hierarchy/authority and spirituality; and (f) a client's time orientation. Finally, an example of an adaptation of the MQ, the Bounce Back Question was provided for therapists to demonstrate the process of how the adaptation could occur using these clinical guidelines.