Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

What is Solution-Focused Therapy?

Sometimes you don't need to dig into years of the past — you need a clear way forward. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, focuses on solutions rather than problems: what is already working, your strengths, and the next small step.

How it works

1. The miracle question: "If you woke up tomorrow and the problem was gone, what would be different?"
2. Scaling questions: "On 0–10, where are you today? What would move you up one point?"
3. Finding exceptions: times the problem was smaller, and what you did differently
4. Small, clear goals and practical action steps

How it is effective for mental health disorders

• Stress and adjustment problems: research shows SFBT improves coping and wellbeing in a short time.
• Students: widely used in schools and colleges, with evidence for improving academic stress, behaviour and motivation.
• Mild to moderate depression and anxiety: helpful as a brief intervention, often combined with CBT.
• Relationship and family problems: helps couples and families focus on shared goals.