solutionfocused

Solution-focused refers to a family of therapeutic, counseling, and coaching approaches that emphasize building solutions rather than analyzing problems. Often known as solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), the approach is future-oriented, collaborative, and goal-driven. It arose in the 1980s at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, developed by Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and colleagues as an alternative to traditional problem-focused therapy.

Core principles center on the client’s resources and strengths, the belief that change is achievable in small steps, and the view that clients are the experts on their own lives. Practitioners focus on what clients want to achieve, rather than on the specifics of their difficulties. Techniques commonly used include the miracle question (imagining a night when the problem is solved and describing what would be different), scaling questions (rating progress on a 0–10 scale), and exception-finding questions (identifying times when the problem did not occur). Other methods involve coping questions, highlighting past successes, and assigning simple between-session tasks to reinforce progress.

Applications span individual, family, and couples therapy, as well as coaching, education, social services, and organizational settings. The approach is frequently employed as a brief intervention due to its emphasis on rapid goal-setting and actionable steps.

Evidence and reception vary by context; some studies report favorable outcomes for mild to moderate problems and certain populations, while critics caution that the approach may be less suitable for complex or severe mental health conditions or issues requiring deeper systemic analysis. Overall, solution-focused methods are valued for their pragmatic, client-centered focus and adaptability.