A core belief of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

Introduction

SFBT is about much more than techniques as some believe – unfortunately a perception created by therapists themselves who misunderstood the foundations and intentions of SFBT.

At its core SFBT is about the belief that every client/person has strengths, resources, skills, abilities and at least part of the solution to their problem in themselves.

Additionally, problems do not occur at 100% intensity 100% of the time.

Clients present to therapists with problems. Some are internal, or of a personal nature. These involve emotions, thoughts and behaviour. Others are interpersonal – relationships at various levels. Some are external. Added to this are situations/conditions that the client may have no control over. Or a combination of these.

Maybe you also experience such a problem.

Get your mind on a solution focused track by asking yourself the following:

• How have you survived/coped/continued with everyday functioning DESPITE your problem(s)? You may feel like you didn’t cope, like you are overwhelmed or debilitated, but if you got out of bed/ went to work/ looked after your children/ took your medication/ spoke to someone, you DID continue DESPITE…

• Maybe you will tell me that you couldn’t cope and that’s why you are now in hospital or a clinic. My question to you: how did you know that you were at a point where you had to get help? You took responsibility by asking help and made use of the opportunity.

• Maybe you can’t find any positives…any improvements…any “despite”. Then my question to you is: what have you done/thought, or what didn’t you do or think, to have prevented things from being worse?

Make an appointment with a SFBT therapist if you need more guidance.