Also known as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Solution-Focused Therapy emerged from the collaborative efforts of Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their colleagues at the Milwaukee Brief Family Therapy Center in the late 1970s. Unlike traditional therapy approaches that dwell on clients' problems, SFBT is forward-looking, purpose-driven, and centers around finding solutions.

SFBT is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that emphasizes short-term interventions with clear objectives. It integrates principles and practices from positive psychology, guiding clients to generate solutions rather than fixating on their issues. Essentially, SFBT fosters hope, elicits positive emotions, and directs attention toward future possibilities to facilitate the formulation, motivation, achievement, and sustainability of desired behavioral changes.

How does Solution-Focused Therapy work?

Solution-Focused therapists initiate the development of solutions by crafting a detailed depiction of how the client's life will be transformed once the problem is resolved or their situation reaches a level of satisfaction for the client. The therapist and client then meticulously explore the client's life experiences and behavioral abilities to uncover the essential resources required to collaboratively construct a viable and enduring solution that the client can readily put into action.

Methods include:

The Miracle Question: The therapist invites the client to envision a scenario where they go to sleep and wake up in the morning, finding that their problems have entirely disappeared. Following this imaginative exercise, the therapist inquires about the client's awareness of the absence of problems or issues and prompts them to identify the changes that have occurred.

Scaling Questions: The therapist will inquire about the client's perception of the problem or issue's severity, asking them to assign a rating on a scale of 1 to 10. This assessment aids in creating a shared understanding between the therapist and client regarding the current standing in relation to the problem or issue.

Exceptions to the Problem: The therapist encourages the client to reflect on and recall instances when the problem was not a concern, allowing them to identify what made those moments different.

Who can Solution-Focused Therapy help?

People looking for a focused, short-term engagement with therapy, usually around a specific topic. If solution-focused therapy is successful, some clients feel encouraged to engage in long-term therapy to tackle aspects of life that require deeper exploration.

References: Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy, Positive Psychology, Simply Psychology

Marcus Berley is a Self Space Seattle therapist who works with high-achieving people who want to access the deeper areas of their lived experience, including individuals who struggle to fully enjoy their success and couples who struggle to address conflict and cultivate a more intimate connection.