Some people come to therapy with a clear sense of what they want to be different. They are not looking for a deep exploration of the past. They want to identify what is not working, figure out what will work and start doing it. Solution-Focused Therapy is designed for exactly that.
At Artisan Counseling, our licensed counselors use solution-focused methods in individual, couples and family counseling for clients who want a goal-oriented, forward-looking approach to change.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) was developed in the 1980s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee. It is based on the idea that the most effective way to help people is to focus on solutions rather than problems.
This does not mean ignoring what brought you to therapy. It means that instead of spending the majority of sessions analyzing the origins of a difficulty, your counselor directs attention to what you want instead and what steps will get you there.
SFBT assumes that you already have the resources and knowledge to solve your problems, even if you have not been able to access them yet. Your counselor’s role is to ask the right questions, highlight what is already working and help you construct a clear path forward.
Research supports SFBT across a range of settings. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Family Therapy found that SFBT produced positive outcomes in fewer sessions compared to many other therapeutic approaches, making it one of the most efficient forms of treatment available.
Solution-focused sessions are structured around specific techniques that keep the conversation oriented toward progress.
The miracle question. Your counselor may ask a version of: “If you woke up tomorrow and the problem was resolved, what would be different?” This question helps you define what you are working toward in concrete terms.
Exception finding. Your counselor will help you identify times when the problem was absent or less severe. These exceptions contain information about what works for you and can be replicated.
Scaling questions. You may be asked to rate your current situation on a scale of 1 to 10. This helps track progress and identify what small steps could move you one point higher.
Compliments and affirmation. Your counselor will reflect back the strengths and actions they observe, reinforcing your capacity for change.
Small steps. SFBT focuses on incremental, achievable changes rather than sweeping overhauls. Your counselor will help you identify one or two things you can do between sessions to move toward your goal.
SFBT is applicable to a range of concerns, including:
SFBT is often used as a short-term intervention, though it can also be integrated into longer treatment plans when needed.
SFBT is designed to be brief. Many clients see progress within 3 to 8 sessions. The exact number depends on the concern and your goals.
It does not deny the past, but it does not make the past the primary focus. The emphasis is on what you want going forward and what resources you already have to get there.
SFBT can be effective for a range of issues, but for concerns like trauma, severe depression or substance dependence, it may be most effective when combined with other approaches.
Yes. SFBT is widely used in family therapy, particularly for communication issues and behavioral concerns in children and teens.
Yes. It is provided within the context of licensed counseling and billed as a standard therapy session. Contact 757.503.2819 to verify your benefits.