What does solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) emphasize?

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) emphasizes focusing on solutions and future possibilities, which is at the core of its approach. This therapeutic model is designed to help clients identify their strengths and resources while guiding them to envision and create solutions to their current problems. Instead of delving deeply into the history of issues or analyzing past problems, SFBT prioritizes constructing a vision of a preferred future and exploring the steps needed to achieve that outcome.

In SFBT, the therapist collaborates with clients to identify small, achievable goals and to highlight what is already working in their lives. The concept is that individuals possess the necessary skills and resources to effect change, and it is the therapist’s role to facilitate the identification and implementation of these solutions. By envisioning a positive future and the steps necessary to get there, clients can experience increased motivation and a sense of control over their circumstances.

This approach stands in contrast to methods that focus heavily on problem analysis or creating exhaustive treatment plans, as well as those that delve into dream interpretation, which are not foundational elements of SFBT.