Introduction

The Basics

What is Solution-Focused Therapy?

Solution-Focused Therapy, frequently called Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), is a forward-looking, client-centered type of psychotherapy that helps individuals activate their own strengths to create practical solutions. Rather than dissecting the origins of a problem, it leans into what’s already working, building toward a preferred future in a structured, collaborative, and efficient way.

Goal

What is the goal of Solution-Focused Therapy?

The primary goal of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is to help clients construct solutions rather than solve problems. This might seem like a subtle distinction, but it fundamentally changes the therapeutic process.

Instead of dissecting what’s wrong, the therapy helps clients envision their preferred future and identify the resources and strengths they already possess to achieve it. Think of it as building a bridge from their current situation to where they want to be, using materials they already have but might not recognize.

Uses

What does Solution-Focused Therapy treat?

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) can benefit a wide range of individuals and situations.

A few examples include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Relationship challenges
• Family conflicts
• Workplace difficulties
• School-related issues
• Substance use concerns
• Life transitions
• Personal growth and development

SBFT is also suited to work within different cultural contexts. Individuals with more severe or chronic mental health concerns, may not benefit from the brief nature of this approach. 

Subtypes

Are there any subtypes of Solution-Focused Therapy?

While SFBT maintains a consistent core philosophy, it has been adapted for a few contexts where brief intervention may be appropriate.

The following are a few examples:

• Solution-Focused Group Therapy: applies the principles in a group setting.
• Solution-Focused School Counseling: adapted for educational environments.
• Solution-Focused Family Therapy: tailored specifically for family systems.
• Solution-Focused Crisis Intervention: modified for crisis situations.

Effectiveness

Origins

Who developed Solution-Focused Therapy and when?

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy was developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s by Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their colleagues at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This innovative approach emerged from their careful observation of what actually helped clients create positive change in their lives. Rather than focusing on analyzing problems, they noticed that exploring solutions and future possibilities led to more rapid and sustainable improvements.

Evidence Base

Is Solution-Focused Therapy evidence-based?

The evidence base for Solution-Focused Therapy (SFBT) has grown significantly since its inception. Multiple studies have demonstrated its effectiveness across various populations and problems.

SFBT has been shown to be particularly effective in treating depression, anxiety, and relationship issues, while also proving valuable in educational and organizational settings. Its brief nature has made it especially attractive for cost-effectiveness studies, which have generally shown favorable results.

How It Works

Techniques Used

How does Solution-Focused Therapy work?

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) works through several key techniques and principles that shift attention from problems to solutions. The therapist will use carefully crafted “miracle questions” that assist clients in discovering their own resources and solutions.

The Miracle Question:

• Asks clients to imagine waking up one morning to find their problem miraculously solved.
• Encourages them to describe what would be different in their life.
• Helps create a detailed picture of their desired future, often revealing solutions they hadn’t considered.

SFBT also emphasizes identifying “exceptions”—times when the problem is less severe or absent—and exploring what’s different about those times. These exceptions serve as blueprints for solutions that have already worked in the client’s life, even if only briefly.

What to Expect in a Session

What can I expect from a Solution-Focused Therapy session?

In a typical Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) session, you’ll experience a future-focused, positive conversation where your therapist will:

• Ask about recent improvements and successes, even small ones
• Help you identify your existing strengths and resources
• Guide you in developing clear, concrete goals
• Use scaling questions to measure progress and identify next steps
• Help you notice and build upon what’s already working
• Assign small experiments or tasks to try between sessions
• Celebrate progress and reinforce positive changes.

While SFBT has some structural elements, it’s important to note that it’s applied flexibly based on client needs. The approach emphasizes using what works for each particular client rather than adhering strictly to a predetermined protocol.

Treatment Length & Structure

How long does Solution-Focused Therapy take?

True to its name, SFBT is typically brief, often requiring only 4–6 sessions, though this can vary based on individual needs.

While there is no rigid structure, sessions generally follow a solution-focused pattern:

• Exploring what’s better since the last session
• Amplifying successes
• Identifying resources and exceptions
• Setting small, achievable goals for the next steps forward.

Getting Care

Finding a Therapist

How do I find a therapist trained in Solution-Focused Therapy?

Alma’s directory has many therapists who are trained in Solution-Focused Therapy, including: