What is Solution-Focused Therapy?
Some people assume that mental health therapy is all about taking a deep dive into your childhood and working through past traumas. While that’s a part of some types of treatment, there is an option that focuses on the present and into the future: solution-focused therapy (SFT).
At Greenwood Counseling Center, we integrate SFT into our sessions alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Together, this approach helps you with the here and now, allowing you to develop the necessary skills to keep moving forward.
But while you’re waiting on your first session, let’s talk about the basics of SFT. We’ve outlined some of our most frequently asked questions to make it easy to see if SFT is a good match for your mental health needs.
What is Solution-Focused Therapy?
Solution-focused therapy (SFT) is a collaborative approach to therapy that involves identifying and building solutions rather than focusing on issues of the past. Unlike more traditional types of talk therapy, which require a deep dive into childhood, SFT bases future solutions on your current goals and strengths.
Some of the foundational principles are:
- Creating solutions instead of solving problems
- Solutions can be used anytime
- Small changes lead to stronger outcomes
- Developing strength happens through lived experience
- Changing the past isn’t possible
What role does my therapist play in a Solution-Focused session?
Constructivism, the idea that people create their own reality, is a guiding principle in SFT. With this framework, you’re the expert on your struggles and well-being – and your therapist makes this assumption from your first visit.
Sessions are client-centered, meaning you lead the way while you and your therapist work together. The goal of SFT isn’t to tear you down; it’s to build you up and equip you with the skills you need to improve your well-being.
As therapists, we understand there’s a power difference in the therapeutic relationship, but in SFT, we strive to minimize this as much as possible. Your expertise lies in your experiences, values, and strengths, while our role is to facilitate exploration, provide support, and offer guidance.
How many Solution-focused therapy sessions do I have to attend?
Therapy has no timeline; some people need long-term counseling, while others may resolve their inner conflicts within a few sessions. Typically, people see a change after five to eight sessions.
Let’s walk through what an SFT session could look like.
What will my Solution-Focused Therapy visits look like?
During your first visit, your therapist will invite you to discuss why you're seeking therapy and what you hope to get out of your therapy experience. We ask about your personal history, current challenges, and any specific goals you have in mind. This conversation allows you and your therapist to get to know each other better and establish a foundation of trust.
It’s essential to have a good rapport with your therapist, especially in SFT therapy, because you are working closely together. We also provide information (also called psychoeducation) about SFT and what you can expect from future sessions.
Because goal-setting is a significant focus in SFT, we’ll spend a good portion of the visit defining the issue and determining the most practical solution. It’s easy to create a long list of problems, especially if life is stressful. However, it's crucial to narrow our focus to one or two specific issues you'd like to address first. By leaning into these key areas, we can work more effectively to identify concrete steps you can take to make meaningful progress.
For instance, if you're struggling with procrastination, we'll explore times when you have overcome it in the past and what strategies you used. From there, we'll build on those successes, identifying specific actions you can take to tackle procrastination in the future. It’s important to go into detail when describing your ideal future, as this will help inform the rest of your therapy goals.
Throughout the session, I'll guide the conversation with different questions designed to highlight your strengths and encourage you to envision a future where your goals are realized.
By the end of the session, you'll leave with a clearer sense of direction and concrete steps to take toward your desired outcomes. This is where most clients report feeling empowered to change their lives and begin addressing their problems.
Is Solution-Focused Therapy Right For Me?
Ask yourself the following questions to get a better idea if solution-focused therapy is right for you:
- Am I ready to take responsibility for making positive changes in my life?
- Can I actively participate in improving my well-being through SFT?
- Do I prefer a therapy style focused on the future?
- Am I open to new perspectives and strategies to use my problems?
- How much time do I have to commit to therapy over the next few months?
SFT may not be the best approach for you if you’re looking to explore past trauma and its impact on your mental health today. While SFT focuses primarily on the present and future, emphasizing practical solutions, other therapeutic modalities might better suit your needs in addressing historical wounds and their ramifications.
Find a New Therapist at Greenwood Counseling Center
At Greenwood Counseling Center, we work with people across all stages of life – from childhood to adulthood. We know that reaching out is one of the most challenging parts of beginning a new mental health care journey, so we’re always on the other line, ready to answer any of your questions or concerns. We want to put your mind at ease before your first appointment.
So, are you ready to start planning a better future? Contact us through this form or at
704-360-3641 to schedule your first appointment.