Grigore Counselling & Associates
SFBT
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
- Practical & Goal-Driven
- Considered a Leading Form of Brief Therapy
- Endorsed Around the World By:
- Businesses
- Social Policies
- Education Institutes
- Criminal Justice Services
- Child Welfare Organizations
- Domestic Violence Offenders Treatment Providers
How Does SFBT Work?
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented, evidence-based therapeutic approach that emphasizes constructing solutions over focusing on problems. By using positive psychology principles, SFBT helps clients create future-focused, practical steps toward achieving desired behavioral changes. The therapy process often involves identifying previous “exceptions” or times when clients successfully managed challenges, which serves as a foundation for building sustainable solutions.
Developed inductively through extensive observation in an inner-city outpatient mental health setting, SFBT has evolved into a widely influential approach. Its practicality and effectiveness have led to its application in various fields beyond therapy, including business, education, social policy, and criminal justice. The approach is valued for its brevity and goal-focused structure, offering concise, realistic goal negotiations that align with clients’ best hopes.
Over time, SFBT has become one of the leading schools of brief therapy worldwide, known for its emphasis on collaboration, positivity, and practical solutions that address clients’ unique needs efficiently and effectively.
Goal Development
Solution-Focused therapists begin by helping clients define their goals, exploring what success looks like, and identifying past exceptions to build on for achieving desired outcomes.
Pre-Session Change Question
In initial sessions, Solution-Focused therapists often ask if anything has improved since making the appointment, using affirmative answers to explore details and build on early signs of progress.
Previous Solutions
Solution-Focused therapists help clients uncover potential solutions by exploring past successes and moments when the problem was less severe or progress toward their goal occurred.
Exceptions
Solution-Focused therapists help clients identify exceptions—spontaneous moments when the problem is less severe—to build on, distinguishing these from previous solutions that were intentionally applied but later discontinued.
Present & Future Focused
Solution-Focused therapists focus on the present and future, emphasizing what works and envisioning desired outcomes, rather than exploring the past or the origin of problems.
Compliments
Compliments, both direct and indirect, are central to Solution-Focused therapy, validating clients' strengths and efforts while fostering self-recognition through questions like “How did you do that?”
Amplification
After identifying previous solutions and exceptions, Solution-Focused therapists encourage clients to amplify what has worked or try new strategies they wish to explore, often framed as “experiments” or “homework experiments.”
Miracle Question
The Solution-Focused Miracle Question helps clients envision small, actionable steps toward solutions, identify past instances of success, and experiment with replicating these in daily life.
Scaling
Scaling questions help clients and therapists assess progress, motivation, and confidence while identifying specific actions to maintain or advance toward the client’s goals.
Miracle 10
The Miracle 10 Question combines elements of the Miracle Question and Scaling, asking clients to envision a scenario where significant change occurs overnight, and explore the first noticeable differences in themselves or others.
Coping Question
Coping questions highlight clients' resilience and ability to manage difficult situations, emphasizing the small yet impactful actions they take to move forward despite overwhelming challenges.
Consultation Break & Additional Insights
Solution-focused therapists use a mid-session break to reflect on the session and discuss the client’s progress, offering compliments and therapeutic guidance to support their goal.
SFBT Can Help With...
Anxiety
Depression
Domestic Violence
Substance
Abuse
Child &
Adolescents
Eating Disorders
& Self-Image
ADHD &
Neurodivergence
Trauma & PTSD
Anger Management
Work Stress
Daily Stress
Relationship Stress
Self-Confidence
& Self-Esteem
Healthcare Staff
Employee
Engagement
SFBT Fast Facts
Pricing Options
We carefully hand-select and train our therapists to provide the highest level of evidence-based care for our clients.
Your wellbeing is our primary objective, so our goal is to help you reach your goal(s) as soon as possible.
We won’t keep you in treatment any longer than necessary.
Student therapist
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Supervised by Robert Grigore
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Extended Benefits Covers All
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Safe & Accepting Environment
Registered Therapist
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Supervised by Robert Grigore
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Extended Benefits Covers All
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Evidence-Based Treatments
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Specialized Training
Certified EMDR Therapist
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Supervised by Robert Grigore
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Extended Benefits Covers All or Part
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Specialized Certification in EMDR
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Fastest Results*
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No Homework
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
What is SFBT typically used for?
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is typically used to address a wide range of issues, including:
- Mental health concerns: Anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma.
- Behavioral issues: Anger management, impulsivity, and coping skills.
- Substance use disorders: Helping individuals overcome addiction and maintain recovery.
- Relationship challenges: Marital or family conflicts, communication issues, and parenting.
- Workplace or academic concerns: Career stress, performance improvement, or goal setting.
- Trauma recovery: Providing support without revisiting distressing memories directly.
- Personal growth: Building confidence, self-esteem, and resilience.
Its flexibility and focus on practical, solution-oriented strategies make it applicable in diverse settings, including therapy, coaching, education, and organizational development.
What are the advantages of SFBT therapy?
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) offers several advantages that make it a popular and effective therapeutic approach:
1. Goal-Oriented and Practical
SFBT focuses on identifying and achieving specific, realistic goals, allowing clients to see progress quickly and apply solutions in their daily lives.
2. Efficient and Time-Limited
It typically requires fewer sessions (often 5-8), making it cost-effective and accessible for clients seeking short-term support.
3. Strengths-Based Approach
SFBT emphasizes clients’ existing strengths, resources, and resilience, fostering empowerment and self-confidence.
4. Hope and Positivity
By focusing on solutions and what is working, SFBT promotes optimism and a sense of possibility, which can be especially helpful for clients in distress.
5. Client-Centered and Collaborative
Therapists work closely with clients, tailoring interventions to their unique needs and perspectives, ensuring the process is respectful and engaging.
6. Applicable Across Issues
SFBT is versatile and effective for a wide range of concerns, from mental health and substance use disorders to relationship challenges and workplace issues.
7. Trauma-Informed
SFBT avoids requiring clients to revisit distressing memories, making it a supportive approach for those recovering from trauma.
8. Encourages Active Participation
Clients play an active role in identifying goals and solutions, fostering a sense of ownership over their progress and success.
These advantages make SFBT an appealing option for therapists and clients seeking a focused, solution-driven approach to positive change.
Are sessions virtual or in-person?
Most of our sessions are virtual aside from VIP EMDR Retreats (some of our Associates may elect to offer the occasional in-person session, so it’s important to check with them).
While offering virtual sessions nearly exclusively may seem unorthodox, during the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down, Robert discovered virtual sessions were superior in many ways to in-person sessions.
Some reasons for this are: allowing clients to meet in the comfort of their home or office, allowed clients to reach a new level of authenticity by not needing to get “dressed up for the world;” and not needing to account for travel time was greatly appreciated by most of our clients who have busy schedules. Furthermore, virtual sessions require the therapist to attune much more deeply to their client, and having a therapist who is even more deeply attuned to their client, can only benefit treatment.
What sets SFBT apart from CBT or DBT?
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) differs from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in several key ways, reflecting its unique approach and focus:
1. Focus on Solutions vs. Problems
SFBT: Concentrates on constructing solutions and identifying what is working, with minimal focus on analyzing problems or their origins.
CBT/DBT: Focus on understanding the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors (CBT) or balancing acceptance and change while addressing problematic behaviors (DBT).
2. Future-Oriented vs. Present/Past Analysis
SFBT: Emphasizes future possibilities and goals, asking clients to envision how life will improve once their goals are met.
CBT: Focuses on identifying and restructuring negative thought patterns in the present.
DBT: Addresses current emotional dysregulation and incorporates mindfulness to stay present while addressing past trauma if needed.
3. Length and Structure
SFBT: Typically brief, averaging 5-8 sessions, with a flexible structure based on clients’ immediate needs and progress.
CBT: Generally structured and longer-term, with predefined session goals and homework assignments.
DBT: Intensive and long-term, including individual therapy, skills groups, and crisis coaching.
4. Therapist’s Role
SFBT: The therapist acts as a collaborator, helping clients uncover their strengths and solutions through open-ended, empowering questions.
CBT/DBT: Therapists often take a more directive role, teaching specific skills and strategies to modify thinking or behavior.
5. Underlying Philosophy
SFBT: Assumes clients already have the resources and abilities to solve their problems and focuses on activating those resources.
CBT: Assumes that cognitive distortions contribute to emotional distress and aims to correct them.
DBT: Balances acceptance of the client’s current state with strategies for change, addressing intense emotions and behaviors.
6. Trauma Approach
SFBT: Trauma is addressed indirectly by focusing on resilience and solutions, avoiding detailed exploration of painful memories.
CBT: May directly target trauma through exposure or cognitive restructuring.
DBT: Incorporates trauma work alongside emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
SFBT stands out for its brevity, future orientation, and strengths-based approach, while CBT focuses on changing thought patterns, and DBT specializes in managing intense emotions and building tolerance for distress. Each approach is tailored to different client needs and therapeutic goals.
How will I know therapy works for me?
You’ll know therapy is working when you notice positive changes, such as improved coping skills, better relationships, reduced symptoms, and increased self-awareness. Additionally, if you feel heard, supported, and confident in applying what you’ve learned outside of sessions, therapy is likely making a difference.
Are there side effects of therapy?
While therapy itself doesn’t typically have physical side effects, emotional discomfort can arise as you work through challenging issues. However, most people experience relief, growth, and improved well-being over time.
Can I be on medication while undergoing DBT?
How do I choose what type of therapy is best for me?
Some individuals have been referred for a specific form of treatment by their doctor or other health professional, however, many individuals who begin working with us aren’t sure which type of treatment they need.
That’s OK! Most of our therapists are skilled in multiple therapeutic modalities, and they will select the most appropriate approach to ensure you receive the best treatment to reach your goals as fast as possible.
We encourage you to discuss your goals and ask any questions you have during your free consultation!
Will my insurance cover any costs?
What is the difference between a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Clinical Counsellor, Social Worker?
It’s confusing isn’t it? Let’s bring some clarity here.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD’s) with a focus on mental health. They can formally diagnose and prescribe medications.
Psychologists are “doctors of psychology” but are not medical doctors. They have a PhD. They are allowed to diagnose mental health conditions, conduct psychological assessments, but cannot prescribe medications.
Psychotherapists and Clinical Counsellors are interchangeable designations where each province will have certain protected rights to use a particular designation. For example, in British Columbia, we are called either Registered Clinical Counsellors or Certified Clinical Counsellors; in Ontario the term used is Registered Psychotherapist. Counsellors/Psychotherapists (whichever term is used) generally have a MA level degree, are able to conduct psychological /counselling services but are not able to formally diagnose, assess, or prescribe medication.
Social Workers are able to conduct counselling sessions and are governed by the College of Social Workers. They may also belong to other professional associations and conduct therapy/counselling/psychotherapy within those guidelines.
Social workers most often have a MA level degree, and like Clinical Counsellors/Psychotherapists, cannot formally diagnose, assess, or prescribe medication.
Hope that helps!
