What Is Solution-Focused Therapy? 

Banyan's mental health and addiction treatment includes many unique therapies and approaches. One of these methods is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFT), a short-term and goal-focused therapeutic approach. SFT is based on solution-building rather than problem-solving, helping clients approach their situations with the intent of finding a solution rather than focusing on the problem. This approach allows individuals to look ahead to the future and build upon their own strengths, highlighting their ability to solve problems instead of dwelling on why or how the problem was created. 

The positive effects of SFT can be long-lasting, and many therapists consider this program effective for a variety of individuals. This form of therapy has successfully treated people with all kinds of disorders, from mental illness to addiction. Problem-solving is essential in addiction recovery, especially because many addicts turn to drugs and alcohol as temporary solutions for their problems. We want to help our clients break out of that cycle and develop better ways to solve life's everyday problems. 

solution focused therapy

What Is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Used For? 

Solution-focused therapy has been successfully applied to a variety of conditions. SFT presupposes that clients have an idea of what will improve their lives, which many of them do. Considering the fact that addiction is a chronic disease, this form of therapy is especially helpful for patients who understand they have a problem but are unable to quit without the help of drug or alcohol treatment. 


Solution-focused brief therapy is used for: 

  • Depression 
  • Relationship problems 
  • Substance use disorders 
  • Anger management 
  • Communication difficulties 
  • Crisis intervention 

Key Components of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy:  

  • Assessment and Goal Setting: The therapist engages in an initial assessment to understand the client's background, challenges, and goals.  
  • Strengths and Resources Exploration: SFBT acknowledges that clients possess inherent strengths. The therapist engages in conversations that highlight the client's past successes, coping strategies, and skills, utilizing their strengths in therapy.  
  • Solution Building: The heart of SFBT lies in creating solutions to address the individual’s goals. Clients are encouraged to envision a future where their concerns have improved or resolved. Through guided questioning and discussions, our therapists help clients identify exceptions to the problem, instances when the issue is less prominent or absent. This process fosters a sense of hope and provides a foundation for generating practical strategies. 
  • Goal-Oriented Strategies: With solutions in mind, the therapist and client work collaboratively to develop practical steps that move the client closer to their desired outcomes. 
  • Feedback and Progress Evaluation: Throughout the counseling process, the therapist receives feedback from the client regarding the usefulness and effectiveness of the strategies they’ve developed together. This ongoing assessment ensures that the treatment approach remains relevant and aligned with the client's developing needs. 
  • Closure and Future Planning: As the counseling progresses, the client and therapist review the individual’s progress and assess their goals. This phase also involves discussing strategies to maintain positive changes and cope with potential future challenges. 

Solution-Focused Therapy Techniques for Addiction and Mental Health 

In our drug and alcohol rehab and mental health facility solution-focused brief therapy (SFT) employs various types of questions and complimentary language to highlight clients' strengths and achievements. Therapists collaborate with individuals to identify goals early in the process, co-designing steps to achieve these goals and solve current problems. This customized approach ensures a clear execution path, crucial for the therapy's success. The primary aim of SFT is to facilitate positive change, enabling individuals to find solutions for themselves. Below are some common solution-focused brief therapy techniques that our specialists utilize. 

Coping Questions 

One solution-focused brief therapy technique is asking coping questions, which can help demonstrate the person’s resilience and the different ways they can cope with difficult situations on their own. An example of a coping question may be, “After everything you’ve been through, how have you managed to overcome it all?” These questions place the client in a position where they have to acknowledge their achievements. 
 
The Miracle Question 

The miracle question is when the counselor will ask the client to imagine that they've gone to sleep and that their problems have been solved once they wake up. After this visualization, counselors will then ask the client how they know these problems have been solved and what's different in that scenario. This question helps counselors identify and understand what the true problem is, and how it's affecting the person, and it also motivates clients to move forward and overcome their problems. 
 
Illuminating the Exceptions to the Problems 

Solution-focused therapy believes that there are exceptions or moments in a person's life when the problem isn’t present or when the problem is present but does not cause any negative effects. This then raises the question of what’s different between the two scenarios. The counselor can ask the client to think about and recall moments in their life when the problem wasn’t an issue and inquire as to what was different about the two scenarios.

Compliments 

This technique involves the counselor listening to the client to identify their strengths and what they've done well and then reflecting back to the client while acknowledging how difficult this has been for them, encouraging the clients, and also valuing their strengths. 
 
Scales 

The scales technique involves the counselor asking the client to rate the severity of their problem on a scale of 1 to 10. This helps both the counselor and the client to visualize where the client is on that scale. An example of a scaling question includes, "On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your ability to achieve this goal?" These can be used throughout therapy sessions to determine how clients are progressing. 

Benefits Of Solution-Focused Brief Counseling for Veterans & Active-Duty 

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) offers several advantages for veterans and active-duty personnel recovering from addiction and mental illness. This therapy aligns with their time constraints, providing a targeted and efficient treatment approach that fits their schedules. By focusing on solutions rather than problems, SFBT acknowledges their resilience, empowering them by recognizing their strengths and involving them actively in shaping their recovery.  

The collaborative and goal-oriented nature of SFBT resonates well with military culture, encouraging active engagement in the therapeutic process. It helps clients envision realistic outcomes and develop practical strategies, complementing their accustomed practice of setting and achieving objectives. Furthermore, SFBT emphasizes building solutions and fostering hope, promoting a positive mindset. Overall, SFBT offers a tailored and practical framework that supports rapid and meaningful change, making it a valuable tool for veterans and active-duty personnel seeking help for substance abuse and mental illness. 

SFT Therapy at Banyan Treatment Center  

Often, people do not realize their own strengths and don’t know how to utilize the skills needed to solve certain issues they may have. This is where we come in. At Banyan, we guide our clients all the way so that they can realize they can set and achieve goals on their own. There are a variety of issues that this approach can be successful in, and our initial assessment of all clients allows us to see if SFT would be the right therapy method for an individual. 

This therapy method was created in America in the 1980s by a mental health team at the Brief Family Center. This approach has evolved ever since and continues to help numerous people strengthen their skills and live up to their potential. If you are suffering from a mental health disease or disorder, we are here to help you and guide you on the right path. 

Contact our mental health and addiction treatment center today to learn more about the unique programs and therapies we offer. Help is only one call away (855) 908-0663. 

Not all programs are available at all locations. Please contact the location for availability. 

Sources