Solution-Focused Therapy

Naomi Carr
Brittany Ferri
Written by Naomi Carr on 28 January 2025
Medically reviewed by Brittany Ferri on 31 January 2025

Solution-focused therapy (SFT), also known as solution-focused brief therapy, is an approach that involves focusing on the present, future, and goal-setting instead of examining the past. SFT also concentrates on the positive aspects of the individual. It can be a helpful treatment for many mental health and behavioral conditions, including in the treatment of substance use concerns and addiction.

Key takeaways:
  • Solution-focused therapy focuses on recognizing and utilizing individual strengths, setting goals for a better future, and reinforcing positive changes.
  • Solution-focused therapy can help improve outcomes of substance use concerns, particularly when used alongside other approaches.
  • Solution-focused therapy is a brief intervention, which involves the therapist asking many questions to help the individual identify their strengths and ideals to inform goal setting.
a half-body shot of two people in an office for a solution-focused therapy session

Understanding solution-focused therapy

Solution-focused therapy is a short-term therapeutic intervention that can help individuals find solutions to different mental health concerns to reach goals and positive outcomes.

SFT was developed in the 1980s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, along with their colleagues at the Milwaukee Brief Family Therapy Center. This team developed SFT with the idea of creating a positive approach to managing psychological symptoms and concerns with solutions and changes rather than focusing on the cause of the problems.

Within SFT, the presenting concerns and their impacts are recognized and acknowledged without going into detail about their development or focusing on childhood, trauma, or other past events. Instead, the therapist and individual focus on the present and work toward a positive future.

Is SFT effective?

SFT has since become a popular therapeutic approach, with many reviews indicating its effectiveness in the treatment and management of a range of behavioral and psychological concerns.

This approach was developed after the team observed many hours of therapy sessions, noting that the person’s experiences and their respective root causes were often the main focus. Behaviors and conversations that led to positive outcomes were compiled to form the basis of SFT, including goal-setting, collaborative problem-solving, and hopefulness about change for the future.

Solution-focused therapy in addiction treatment

Solution-focused therapy can be used in addiction treatment as a sole therapeutic intervention or alongside a range of therapeutic and pharmacological treatments. It can be used to help people make positive changes in their lives that lead to reduced or stopped substance use and new skills to manage distressing circumstances.

SFT can help people identify their goals for the future, which may be related to changes in addictive behavior or managing concerns that have occurred alongside or because of substance use. It may be difficult for people to consider what their life would be like if they were sober, which can be discussed and recognized within SFT.

Formulating goal-driven solutions with the therapist can help individuals identify their own strengths and the areas of their lives that can be changed to lead to a more positive future. Solutions and goals developed in SFT can help people learn the skills needed to reach and maintain sobriety and learn coping strategies to manage cravings and distress.

Research into the effectiveness of SFT in addiction treatment is currently limited. However, there is some evidence that highlights its benefits in managing substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Core principles and techniques used in solution-focused therapy

SFT is based on principles and techniques that help promote positivity, hopefulness, positive change, and forward-thinking.

Goal setting

A key aspect of SFT is goal-setting. This involves the therapist asking the individual about their ideal life or circumstances and collaboratively considering the steps that are needed to reach this. The therapist helps the individual create pragmatic solutions using small changes to reach their goals. These goals can be clearly defined and measured as the individual progresses in their treatment.

Positivity

Throughout each SFT session, the therapist maintains a positive and hopeful approach to the individual and their conversations. They focus only on the positive aspects of the individual or their goals, helping them to avoid focusing on negative or distressing thoughts and feelings.

For example, if the individual draws the conversation back to their presenting concerns, the therapist redirects the conversation to their hopes for the future or how they would like their life to look. This helps the individual believe in a different future and consider how they can achieve this.

Exceptions

The therapist will help the individual identify ‘exceptions’, such as times in their life when the issue did not have such a negative impact or when they were managing its impact successfully. They will then discuss the factors that contributed to this exception, such as the strengths, abilities, or behaviors of the individual that caused this difference. This helps to identify positive techniques that can be utilized in the future.

Open-ended questions

Within SFT, the therapist does not lead the individual to their answers but instead helps them consider their own thoughts and views on aspects of their life. They do this by asking open-ended questions with a positive focus, such as asking about their hopes, ideal outcomes of therapy, and ideas for a positive future.

For example, they might ask about any positive changes in the last week or what aspects of life the individual thinks would be different if their concerns disappeared. This helps the individual explore their own ideas, leading to the creation of potential goals and solutions with the support of the therapist.

Reinforcing competence

The therapist will help the individual recognize and utilize their strengths and resources. They might compliment them on positive behaviors or actions they have taken to make changes in their life. Additionally, they will help the individual focus on what they can do, rather than their limitations, helping them identify past and current skills and strengths, increasing their motivation and belief in change.

If and when a solution approach is attempted and doesn’t work well, the therapist will help the individual move on from this and try something new, rather than dwelling on the details that made this approach unsuccessful.

Is SFT right for you?

SFT might not be appropriate for everyone. It does not address the root cause of symptoms and mental health concerns, focusing only on the present and how to work toward a positive future. While this approach can be beneficial for many, it may not be suitable for people with severe mental health concerns or those who want to use therapy to help them explore the causes of their symptoms or process trauma.

SFT can be a good therapeutic approach for those who want to develop positive behaviors and strategies. This can be particularly helpful for people who struggle to talk about emotions or distressing experiences and are driven to find practical and measurable solutions.

Similarly, people who have already engaged in other types of therapies that involve exploring past events, such as psychodynamic therapy, might find SFT a helpful next step in their treatment. Having understood the root cause of their concerns, they may benefit from focusing on the future and implementing positive changes and problem-solving strategies.

How to find a solution-focused therapist

To engage in SFT, look for a therapist with specific training and experience in this approach. It can be helpful to ask about:

FAQs

Common questions about solution-focused therapy

Is solution-focused therapy effective for addiction treatment?

SFT can be an effective treatment for addiction, as a sole treatment or alongside other treatment approaches.

Who is solution-focused therapy best suited for?

SFT is best suited to people who want support in solving a specific problem that impacts their quality of life and want to find solutions to work toward a more positive future.

How long does solution-focused therapy typically take?

SFT is intended to be a brief intervention approach and can be completed within several sessions, although this can vary.

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Resources:

  1. What is Solution-Focused Therapy? (2024). Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy. Retrieved from
  2. De Shazer, S, Berg, I.K., Lipchik, E., Nunnally, E., Molnar, A., Gingerich, W., & Weiner-Davis, M. (1986). Brief Therapy: Focused Solution Development. Family Process, 25(2), 307-221. Retrieved from
  3. Jerome, L., McNamee, P., Abdel-Halim, N., Elliot, K., & Woods, J. (2023). Solution-Focused Approaches in Adult Mental Health Research: A Conceptual Literature Review and Narrative Synthesis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1068006. Retrieved from
  4. Bannink, F.P. (2007). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 37, 87-94. Retrieved from
  5. Corcoran, J., & Pillai, V.K. (2009). A Review of the Research on Solution-Focused Therapy. British Journal of Social Work, 39(2), 234-242. Retrieved from
  6. Franklin, C., Hai, A.H. (2021). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Substance Use: A Review of the Literature. Health & Social Work, 46(2), 103-114. Retrieved from
  7. Kim, J.S., Brook, J., & Akin, B.A. (2018). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy with Substance-Using Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study. Sage Journals, 28(4), 452-462. Retrieved from
  8. Iveson, C. (2002). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 8, 149-157. Retrieved from
  9. Jerome, L., McNamee, P., Abdel-Halim, N., Elliot, K., & Woods, J. (2023). Solution-Focused Approaches in Adult Mental Health Research: A Conceptual Literature Review and Narrative Synthesis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1068006. Retrieved from

Activity History - Last updated: 31 January 2025, Published date:


Reviewer

Brittany Ferri

PhD, OTR/L

Brittany Ferri, PhD, OTR/L is an occupational therapist, health writer, medical reviewer, and book author.

Activity History - Medically Reviewed on 28 January 2025 and last checked on 31 January 2025

Medically reviewed by
Brittany Ferri

Brittany Ferri

PhD, OTR/L

Reviewer

Recovered Branding BG
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