Solution-Focussed Brief Therapy

By using some specifically tailored questions and comments, a Solution-Focussed therapist is able to have the clients define what it is that they want different in their lives and what strengths and resources they already have that can use to make the desired differences a reality.  

Annie uses a Solution-Focussed approach in combination with her many other techniques and modalities, so that the client is unaware how her use of language can make such a profound difference to their lives and viewpoint.

Annie often begins the therapeutic process by joining with client competencies. As early in the interview as respectfully possible to do so, she will invite the client to envision their preferred future by describing what their life will be like when the problem is either gone or being coped with so satisfactorily that it no longer constitutes a problem. The therapist and client then pay particular attention to any behaviors on the client’s part that contribute to moving in the direction of the client’s goal, whether these are small increments or larger changes. To support this approach, detailed questions are asked about how the client managed to achieve or maintain the current level of progress, any recent positive changes and how the client developed new and existing strengths, resources, and positive traits and especially, about any exceptions to client-perceived problems.

Solution focused therapists believe personal change is already constant.  By helping people identify positive directions for change in their life and to attend to changes currently in process they wish to continue, SFBT therapists help clients construct a concrete vision of a preferred future for themselves.

SFBT therapists support clients to identify times in their life when things matched more closely with the future they prefer. Differences and similarities between the two occasions are examined. By bringing small successes to awareness, and supporting clients to repeat their successful choices and behaviors, when the problem is not there or less severe, therapist facilitate client movement towards goals and preferred futures they have identified.