Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a form of therapy that has gained popularity in recent decades. It is a brief therapy that is based on the belief that clients have the resources to solve their problems, and the therapist’s role is to help them discover those resources. SFBT focuses on the client’s desired future and goals rather than their past experiences.
Recently, I presented briefly about SBFT — a large part of the presentation covered the Not Knowing position.
SFBT encourages solution talk rather than focusing on problem talking (although it does not neglect problems themselves).
History of SFBT
SFBT was developed in the 1980s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were inspired by the work of Milton Erickson, a renowned hypnotherapist who focused on the client’s resources rather than their problems. Shazer and Berg observed that clients were often able to find solutions to their problems during brief therapy sessions. They developed SFBT as a structured approach to brief therapy that focused on the client’s strengths and resources.
Principles of SFBT
SFBT is based on several principles. The following are the key principles of SFBT:
- Focus on the client’s desired future: SFBT is future-oriented, and the therapist helps the client to focus on their desired future instead of their past experiences.
- Focus on solutions rather than problems: SFBT is a solution-focused therapy, and the therapist helps the client to find solutions to their problems by identifying their strengths and resources.
- Collaborative relationship: SFBT is a collaborative therapy, and the therapist works with the client to find solutions to their problems.
- Clients are experts in their own lives: SFBT assumes that clients have the resources and the ability to solve their problems, and the therapist’s role is to help them discover those resources.
- Small changes lead to big results: SFBT focuses on small changes clients can make to achieve their goals. The therapist helps the client to identify these small changes and to build on them to achieve bigger results.
Techniques of SFBT
SFBT uses several techniques to help clients find solutions to their problems. The following are some of the techniques used in SFBT:
- Miracle question: The therapist asks the client to imagine that their problem has disappeared overnight. The therapist then asks the client to describe what their life would look like if the miracle happened. This helps the client to focus on their desired future and to identify specific goals.
- Scaling questions: The therapist asks the client to rate their problem on a scale of 1–10, with 10 being the worst. The therapist then asks the client what it would take to move one point down on the scale. This helps the client identify small steps they can take to progress towards their goal.
- Exception questions: The therapist asks the client to identify times when the problem did not occur or was not as severe. This helps the client recognise their strengths and resources and identify what they can do to replicate those times when the problem was not present.
- Coping questions: The therapist asks the client how they have managed the problem in the past. This helps the client to identify their coping skills and resources and to use those skills to find solutions to their current problem.
Applications of SFBT
SFBT has been applied in a variety of settings, including individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. It has been used to treat a wide range of problems, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, relationship issues, and parenting problems. The following are some of the applications of SFBT:
Individual Therapy
SFBT is a popular approach in individual therapy. It is used to address a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, phobias, addiction, and stress. In individual therapy, the therapist works collaboratively with the client to identify their goals and strengths and then helps the client develop a plan to achieve their desired future. The therapist may use techniques such as the miracle question, scaling questions, and coping questions to help the client identify and achieve their goals.
For example, in the case of anxiety, the therapist may use the scaling question to ask the client to rate their anxiety on a scale of 1–10, and then ask the client what it would take to move one point down on the scale. This helps the client identify small steps to reduce their anxiety. The therapist may also use the miracle question to help the client imagine a life without anxiety and then identify the specific steps they can take to move towards that life.
Couples Therapy
SFBT can be used in couples therapy to address relationship issues such as communication problems, conflicts, and infidelity. In couples therapy, the therapist works with both partners to identify their desired future and then helps them develop a plan to achieve that future. The therapist may use techniques such as the miracle question and scaling questions to help the couple identify their goals and strengths and then work collaboratively to achieve those goals.
For example, in the case of communication problems, the therapist may use the scaling question to ask each partner to rate their satisfaction with their communication on a scale of 1–10. The therapist may ask each partner what it would take to move one point up on the scale. This helps the couple identify small steps to improve their communication. The therapist may also use the miracle question to help the couple imagine a life with effective communication and then identify specific steps they can take to achieve that life.
Family Therapy
SFBT can be used in family therapy to address various problems, including parenting issues, conflicts, and behavioural problems. In family therapy, the therapist works collaboratively with the family members to identify their desired future and then helps them develop a plan to achieve that future. The therapist may use techniques such as the miracle question, scaling questions, and coping questions to help the family members identify their strengths and resources and work collaboratively to achieve their goals.
For example, in the case of parenting issues, the therapist may use the coping question to ask each parent how they have coped with difficult parenting situations in the past. This helps the parents identify their coping skills and resources and then use those skills and resources to find solutions to their current parenting problems. The therapist may also use the miracle question to help the family members imagine a life with effective parenting and then identify specific steps they can take to achieve that life.
Group Therapy
SFBT can also be used in group therapy to address various problems, including addiction, trauma, and depression. In group therapy, the therapist works collaboratively with the group members to identify their desired future and then helps them develop a plan to achieve that future. The therapist may use techniques such as the miracle question and scaling questions to help the group members identify their goals and strengths and then work collaboratively to achieve those goals.
SFBT is not limited to counselling. It is also one of the favourable approaches by many career coaches (and other forms of coaching). I have observed that some HR practices solution focused. Many work cultures incorporate different variants of solution-focused liked to encourage a culture of collaboration and solution-seeking. Moreover, everyone can do solution-focused as long they start with the right attitude, which I am coming next — Not Knowing Position.
Not Knowing Position
The Not Knowing position is a departure from traditional therapeutic approaches that assume the therapist has more knowledge and expertise than the client. In SFBT, the therapist assumes that the client is the expert on their own experience and solutions and adopts a collaborative, curious, and humble stance towards the client. This stance creates a safe and respectful space for the client to explore their solutions and strengths.
The Not Knowing position does not mean that the therapist is ignorant or passive. Instead, it means that the therapist intentionally suspends their assumptions, theories, and judgments about the client and remains open and curious about the client’s experience and goals. This position allows the therapist to avoid imposing their own solutions or values on the client and to respect the client’s autonomy and self-determination.
In practice, the Not Knowing position is reflected in the therapist’s language, attitude, and behaviour. The therapist uses open-ended questions, reflections, and affirmations to invite the client’s perspective, values, and goals. The therapist also listens actively and empathetically to the client’s words, tone, and body language to understand their experience and meaning. The therapist avoids diagnosing, interpreting, or advising the client and instead trusts the client’s ability to find their solutions.
The Not Knowing position also implies that the therapist values the client’s feedback and collaboration. The therapist regularly checks in with the client to ensure they are comfortable with the therapy process and that their goals and values are respected. The therapist also encourages the client to give feedback and suggestions about the therapy process and to co-create the therapy plan.
The Not Knowing position has several benefits for the client and the therapist. For the client, the Not Knowing position creates a non-judgmental and supportive environment where they can explore their own solutions and strengths. The client feels heard, respected, and empowered to find their own path towards their goals. The client also learns to trust their own resources and abilities and to become more self-directed and self-confident.
For the therapist, the Not Knowing position fosters a sense of curiosity, creativity, and humility. The therapist learns from the client’s experience and solutions and becomes a co-learner and co-creator of the therapy process. The therapist also avoids burnout and frustration from trying to impose their own solutions or theories on the client and instead enjoys the satisfaction of helping the client discover their own resources and solutions.
The Not Knowing position also has some challenges and limitations. One of the challenges is that the therapist may feel uncertain or insecure about their role or effectiveness, especially if the client’s goals or solutions are not clear or concrete. The therapist may also feel frustrated or confused if the client’s solutions contradict their own values or beliefs. However, these challenges can be addressed by regular supervision, training, and self-reflection.
Another limitation of the Not Knowing position is that it may not be suitable for clients who need more structure, guidance, or expertise from the therapist. Some clients may feel overwhelmed or lost if the therapist does not provide enough direction or validation. In such cases, the therapist may need to adjust their stance or refer the client to another therapist who can better meet their needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Not Knowing position is a key concept in SFBT that emphasises the therapist’s collaborative and curious stance towards the client’s experience and solutions. This position allows the client to explore their own resources and solutions and to become more self-directed and self-confident. The therapist also learns from the client’s experience and solutions and this becomes the strength and resources for the clients.
I want to state that the Not Knowing position should be given special attention as it is the most crucial skill set to master when learning about SFBT, whether the learner is a therapist, coach or anyone keen on this approach.
