💡 SOLUTION-FOCUSED BRIEF THERAPY

Key Concepts, Core Questions, Interventions, Exam-Style Scenarios, Comparisons, Memorization Anchors

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

A goal-oriented model focusing on solutions and strengths rather than problems.

Founders

Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg.

Core Assumption

Clients already have the resources needed to solve their problems.

Focus of Therapy

Solutions, exceptions, and desired future.

View of Problems

Problems are not constant and have exceptions.

Therapy Goal

Build solutions quickly and efficiently.

Time Orientation

Present and future focused.

Therapy Style

Collaborative, hopeful, and brief.

Exceptions

Times when the problem does not occur or is less intense.

Miracle Question

Imagining a future where the problem is solved.

Scaling Questions

Rating progress or confidence on a numerical scale.

Small Changes

Small steps lead to bigger change.

Client as Expert

Client defines goals and solutions.

Language of Change

Therapist uses solution-focused language.

Strengths

Emphasis on client abilities and successes.

Brief Therapy

Therapy is time-limited.

Miracle Question

“If a miracle happened tonight, what would be different?”

Exception Question

“When does the problem not happen?”

Scaling Question

“On a scale of 1–10, where are you today?”

Coping Question

“How have you managed despite the problem?”

Future-Oriented Question

Focuses on desired outcomes.

Goal Clarification

Ensures goals are concrete and observable.

Highlight Exceptions

Identifying what already works.

Goal Setting

Creating specific, achievable goals.

Compliments

Reinforcing strengths and efforts.

Reframing

Shifting focus from problem to solution.

Scaling Progress

Monitoring change over time.

Homework Tasks

Encouraging small behavioral changes.

Collaborative Stance

Therapist partners with client.

Scenario: “Therapist asks about times problem didn’t occur.”

Exception question.

Scenario: “Therapist focuses on future success.”

Miracle question.

Scenario: “Therapist avoids exploring childhood.”

SFBT orientation.

Scenario: “Therapist uses numbers to measure progress.”

Scaling question.

Scenario: “Therapist highlights client strengths.”

SFBT approach.

Scenario: “Therapist works quickly toward goals.”

Brief therapy.

Scenario: “Therapist avoids problem analysis.”

Solution focus.

SFBT vs. CBT

SFBT focuses on solutions; CBT focuses on thoughts and behaviors.

SFBT vs. Narrative

SFBT builds solutions; Narrative rewrites stories.

SFBT vs. EFT

SFBT is goal-driven; EFT is emotion-driven.

SFBT vs. Psychoanalytic

SFBT avoids past exploration.

Solution = Future

Look forward, not back.

Exceptions = Gold

Find what works.

Scale = Numbers

Measure change.

Client = Expert

Client leads.

Brief = Fast

Short-term therapy.