Solution-Focused Family Therapy: What Your Family May Need

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is solution focused family therapy?

Solution focused brief therapy SFBT is goal oriented, aims at the future and mainly utilizes probing questions to give your family space to explore what an ideal lifestyle would look like. 

Solution focused family therapy is a great option for households that are looking to use positive psychology to optimize their communication and relationships. It uses techniques, like scaling questions, to help you and your loved ones gain a collective vocabulary. 

What is the solution focused brief therapy model?

The model uses scaling questions and coping questions to help you find exceptions to the problem. Solution focused brief therapy creates a positive atmosphere between a therapist and client and gives you a toolkit to handle issues in a productive way.

Solution focused family therapy uses these tools to create a space that gives your family ways to get better at problem solving as a family unit.

What are the benefits of solution focused therapy?

Solution focused therapy is focused on the present, rather than looking at past trauma. This can be a great solution for a person who is looking to move things forward and frame things in a positive light. The therapist and client relationship is more based around learning new adaptive skills that you can use on your own.

The type of therapy that works for you may be different than it is for another person. It’s important to understand what makes you feel most empowered as you move through your life.

What are the three rules of solution focused treatment? 

How do you implement solution focused therapy?

Therapists familiar with this positive psychology technique focus on the present and the future, and use compliments and questions to help you feel comfortable moving forward in your life. This form of therapy often uses “the miracle question.”

The miracle question is a technique that your therapist can utilize to invite you to envision and describe in detail how your future will be different when the problem is no longer present. They may start by saying… “now I’m going to ask you a strange question…”

Much of this work involves utilizing your imagination to envision your ideal life, and how you would thrive if the pressing issues in your life weren’t creating obstacles for you.

How long is solution focused therapy?

Solution focused brief therapy, as the name would suggest, is a more short-term therapy model. Generally speaking, approximately five to eight sessions is enough to tackle the problem at hand. This makes it a great choice for families that have a busy lifestyle and are looking to address issues quickly, and gain a set of skills to continue communicating effectively.

Similar to the way positive CBT exercises are utilized in cognitive behavioral therapy, SFBT attempts to give you and your family techniques that can be later used to reconnect and set goals together.

Is Solution Focused Therapy Effective?

Solution focused brief therapy is very effective. It can be helpful in treating a variety of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. This type of therapy uses positive psychology to help couples and families to open up a conversation for positive change.

Psychology today is more developed in its therapy models than ever, and we can accurately track scientifically how well people are responding to treatment.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of solution focused therapy?

For many people, the type of therapy that works for them is fairly specific. Solution focused brief therapy is a great method for people looking for a fast process, and to tackle a particular problem in their life.

One specific aspect of the SFBT approach is that recurring issues in a person’s life may not be resolved solely with this method. Due to the future focused and goal oriented structure of this form of therapy, it doesn’t center on past trauma.

Other forms of therapy coaching, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, similarly use positive CBT exercises in order to problem solve. SFBT is different in that it’s more focused on what you want out of therapy, rather than why you need therapy.

How do you focus a solution at work?

Solution focused brief therapy is a tangible approach to problems that can be used in a variety of aspects of your life. If you find yourself with a problem in the workplace, you can ask yourself the same coping questions that you use in therapy to problem solve. An example of this would be “what helps me to keep going even though things are really hard?”

The great thing about having a positive psychology mindset is that it can be utilized anywhere, even when it comes to business. Using a future focused approach to dealing with stressful situations can help you move past situations, rather than dwell on them. Working on your psychology today can create a healthier future.

What is an exception question in Solution Focused Therapy?

Exception questions are utilized in solution focused brief therapy to help you understand times in your life when you felt more in control. An example of this would be “was there ever a time in your life when you felt happy at home?”

This way of framing questions helps you find solutions to your current life events from a problem solving perspective. Exception questions help you think in a future oriented perspective, rather than dwelling on the issue at hand.

Solution focused family therapy can help members of the household let go of resentment, and explore beyond the past.

What is a solution based approach?

The two biggest pioneers of solution focused brief therapy were Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, who believed in collaborating with clients to take steps toward a more optimistic future. The psychotherapy technique was developed in 1980 at their institute for solution focused therapy, called the Brief Family Center.

Positive psychology is always changing, and the model can be adapted by each individual therapist. The core of the approach involves problem solving, goal setting, trying to find solutions and moving toward positive change. This form of therapy can look different whether you’re working individually, as a couple or with your family,

What is the role of the client in solution focused therapy?

As with a client in any form of therapy, a willingness to be open to find solutions is a crucial step in getting the best results. Therapy coaching and therapy interventions can become complicated to manage if you’re not making an effort. Problem solving is a collaborative process, and relies on your willingness to learn.

Solution focused brief therapy is a collaborative practice that involves envisioning the future that you want. Your therapist has the expertise to guide you in understanding what actions you’re already taking that make your life more beneficial. It’s important to take note of them and to make it a priority to implement them continuously. Problem solving in this way requires effort, but it’s worth it.

Psychology today has many forms of therapy that all have their own angle. Positive CBT exercises, which are used in cognitive behavioral therapy may resemble some of the methods of SFBT. But the usage of the “strange question” is very specific to SBFT.

What is the difference between solution focused therapy and narrative therapy?

Narrative therapy is an alternative positive psychology method. It focuses on the overall values and skills of each client to help them get a stronger sense of self overall. It centers more on an individual's abilities and ability to approach life.

This differs from solution focused brief therapy which is more narrowed in on specific issues that you may be struggling with. Your therapist helps you imagine ways that your mental health struggles can be breached, and improve your overall quality of life.

Positive psychology today is more evolved than it ever has been. The SFBT approach is a great option for people looking for counseling that specializes in problem solving to find solutions to the issues at hand.

I’m sure as you’re reading this article, you’re realizing how many different therapy models exist in psychology today. Almost all types of therapy borrow ideologies from each other, and positive CBT exercises are often developed and used as inspiration for newer methods.

If after reading this article you feel that solution focused family therapy would be a good option for your household, don’t hesitate to begin the process of positive change. Make sure to always get your information from accredited organizations like the Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy or BetterHelp, and consider starting online therapy today.