Therapy does not have to be long!

Relationship difficulties, work stress, difficulties with children, anxiety, depression, abuse, addiction can seem overwhelming and insurmountable.  It is reasonable to believe that,   given the amount of energy spent trying to find relief from these or other problems,  getting help from a therapist will entail many months.  Traditional approaches to therapy work on accessing, analyzing, diagnosing,  uncovering the past, changing thinking, expressing emotions, confronting and finding understanding about the problem.  However,  there is an alternative: 

Solution Focus Brief Therapy is a modern approach to therapy that is streamlined to provide lasting results in a short amount of time.  Often clients have noticeable changes within the first few sessions.

What makes it Short Term?

Focus is on positive and purposeful change

Concrete goals are designed to resolve the problems

Treatment is collaborated using the therapist’s and the clients unique expertise

Focus of treatment is relieving current distress and making changes for a long term change

Time is devoted to interventions that are effective for the unique needs of the individual or couple

The therapist is active, using and giving away techniques and strategies to empower clients

What Does it Look Like?

It looks simple:

• Find out what the client wants

• Find out what works

• Do something different

Find out what the client wants: Often clients know what it is that they don’t want.  While therapists are trained and skilled in diagnosing, analyzing, and conceptualizing client distress, SFBT   therapist quickly move from talking about the “problem” and help the client identify what he or she wants

Find out what Works:  Find out what works and do more of it.   Each client has resources and strengths that work for them in a variety of areas in their life.   In the mist of pain, or stress it is often difficult for clients to identify and make use of these strengths.  The SFBT therapist helps the client to access these strengths and use them creatively.

Do something Different: There are infinite ways to find creative solutions.  In solution focus therapy the therapist does not waste time using techniques that are not producing the desired results.  The client decides if therapy is working and decides when they have what they need.

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