Excerpts from Verywell Mind By Jenev Caddell, PsyD

Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) is a strength-based form of psychotherapy. When someone decides to see a psychotherapist, it is usually because things are not going as well in his or her life as he or she would like. There is usually some kind of problem. People have a tendency to focus on the negative, but SFT utilizes conversation and language to help shift the focus on what is working and create more solutions as a result. Unlike many traditional forms of psychotherapy, SFT is not based on any theory. It is not about solving problems, diagnosing mental illness, or healing sicknesses. There is not a focus on the past, such as one’s childhood, unless the therapist and client are discussing strengths and situations in which the client was resilient.

Drawing upon the client’s expertise on themselves, the therapist uses solution focused questions to demonstrate their strengths, resources, desires and the path to reaching their goals. With the focus shifted to what is already working in a client’s life, and how things will look when they are better, more room opens up for the solutions to arrive.

SFT is a form of “brief therapy” because it is not meant to continue for years, as are some forms of therapy. By working with a Solution Focused therapist, you can expect a simple approach based on clear, solution-oriented questions. There is an emphasis on simplicity, and the most simple way to the solution is the most preferable.