What is Solution-Focused Therapy
Solution-Focused (Brief) Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented approach. It was developed in the 1980s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, and has since been applied in counselling, schools, healthcare, and organizations. Rather than analyzing the causes of problems, SFBT concentrates on identifying goals and building practical steps toward them, working from the premise that clients already have strengths and resources to draw on.
How Does Solution-Focused Therapy Work
SFBT keeps the focus on solutions and the future. A typical session might involve:
- defining a clear, specific goal
- describing what life would look like once the problem is resolved
- identifying times the problem is already less present, and what is different about them
- planning small, achievable steps forward
Therapists often use particular tools, such as scaling questions (rating where you are from one to ten) and the “miracle question,” which invites you to picture how life would be different if the problem were resolved. Because it is focused and structured, SFBT is often brief, sometimes only a few sessions.
How Solution-Focused Therapy Helps
The approach aims to help people make practical progress and recognize the resources they already have. It can be useful for building clarity and momentum, particularly when someone wants to focus on moving forward rather than exploring the past in depth. It is well suited to clearly defined concerns, and can also be combined with other approaches when deeper or longer-term work is needed.
Learn more: Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association
Who Can Benefit from Solution-Focused Therapy
Solution-focused therapy may suit people who are:
working toward a specific goal or decision
looking for a brief, practical approach
interested in building on existing strengths
People often choose a solution-focused approach when they have a clear sense of what they want to change and would rather put their energy into moving forward than into understanding how things got this way. It can be a good fit for a particular hurdle, a decision that needs making, or a stretch when you simply want some momentum.
It tends to suit people who prefer a practical, forward-looking style and a shorter course of work. It is used with individuals, couples, and families, and can stand on its own or sit alongside longer-term therapy when something deeper also needs attention.
Therapy most often includes multiple approaches, shaped around what best fits for you. Your counsellor will work with you to design an approach that meets your needs.
Finding the Right Fit
Research consistently shows that a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in counselling. When helping you find a therapist, we consider:
- Your goals, concerns, and preferences
- Your past experiences with counselling (if any)
- Therapist expertise and clinical focus
- Personality, pace, and working style
- Therapeutic orientation and flexibility
Some clients come in knowing they are interested in a particular approach. Others have no idea where to begin—and both are completely valid. You do not need to choose a modality to start counselling. Our role is to help guide the process and support you in finding a therapist who feels like a good fit.
You can also explore therapist profiles on our Meet the Team page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapeutic Approaches
No. Many clients begin therapy without any knowledge of modalities. Your therapist will guide the process and adapt the work to what’s most helpful for you.
No. Therapists at River’s Edge work integratively, drawing from multiple evidence-based approaches as therapy unfolds.
Yes. If you have experience with or interest in a particular modality, we’re happy to take that into account when matching you with a therapist.
That’s very common. Therapy itself is a collaborative process of discovering what supports change for you.
Different approaches can be helpful for different people and concerns. Research shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship and a flexible, responsive approach are key factors in effective therapy.