Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes finding solutions in the present moment and exploring one’s hopes for the future, rather than digging into problems or issues from the past. It’s pragmatic, concise, and goal-oriented, making therapy sessions both efficient and impactful. SFBT operates on the belief that clients are experts in their own lives and that they already possess the necessary skills and insights to create positive change.

Who could benefit from SFBT?

SFBT has been found particularly effective for people needing support with:

• Anxiety and depression
• Relationship issues, both personal and work-related
• Mood disorders

What is the treatment process like?

Rather than focusing on the problem, the therapy zeroes in on the client’s strengths, resources, and desired future. One of the first steps in SFBT is identifying and clarifying the client’s goals for therapy. The therapist and client then explore times when a problem was absent or less intense, looking for patterns or behaviors that can be used as solutions. A key technique that is often employed in SFBT is asking the client to imagine that a miracle happened overnight and their problems are solved. How would they realize it? What would be different?

How does SFBT work?

SFBT can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches and is adaptable to various settings and client needs.

After defining problems and goals, the client is asked to rate their current situation on a scale, helping them visualize progress and identify next steps.

How effective is SFBT?

Being brief in nature, this therapy can bring about change in a shorter time frame compared to some other modalities. SFBT encourages a forward-looking perspective, which can be motivating and uplifting. It views challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities to tap into existing skills and craft a preferred future. Opting for SFBT means embracing a proactive, positive, and pragmatic path to personal growth and problem resolution.