What is Solution Focused Brief Therapy?

Solution-focused therapy, sometimes called "brief therapy," is a future focused and goal directed form of therapy. This approach focuses on what clients would like to achieve through therapy (the solutions). The therapist will help the client set specific, achievable goals, and then map out the small and large changes necessary for the client to undergo to realize their vision. The therapist will seize on any successes the client experiences, to encourage them to build on their strengths rather than dwell on their problems or limitations. It is focusing on what IS working rather than what isn’t working. I find this approach is very relevant to today’s culture. Most of my clients prefer this goal oriented approach and report a sense of hope much earlier in the therapy process than with some other methods. As the name implies, this approach also tends to be less lengthy than some other therapies. It also can allow for time in between sessions as clients are implementing change and need additional experience to practice their new responses. This allows growth to “snow ball” into the larger goals set by the client.