Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) Therapists in Ottawa, ON

What is solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)?

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a goal-directed, future-focused approach that centres on what clients want to achieve — their preferred future — rather than exploring the causes or history of their problems. Developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, SFBT operates on the premise that clients already possess the strengths and resources needed for change, and that therapy's role is to help them identify and amplify those resources. It is deliberately brief and collaborative, with the client as the expert on their own life.

How is SFBT different from problem-focused therapies?

Where most therapies start by exploring the problem in detail — its history, causes, patterns, and impact — SFBT spends relatively little time on problems and much more time on exceptions (times when the problem is less present or absent), goals (what the client wants instead of the problem), and strengths (what the client is already doing that works). This shift in focus often produces movement quickly and can feel more empowering than an extended focus on what is not working.

What techniques are used in SFBT sessions?

SFBT uses a distinctive set of questions. The miracle question — "If a miracle happened tonight and your problem was solved, what would be different tomorrow?" — helps clients articulate their preferred future in concrete terms. Scaling questions ask clients to rate their current situation on a scale of 0–10 and identify what a small step forward would look like. Exception-finding questions surface times when the problem was less severe and explore what was different. Compliments and affirming clients' existing strengths are central to every session.

What is SFBT most suitable for?

SFBT is well-suited for people who have a specific, well-defined goal they want to work toward, who are motivated for change, and whose difficulties do not involve deep trauma or complex psychological conditions requiring longer-term processing. It is used effectively for depression, relationship difficulties, school and workplace challenges, parenting concerns, and general life dissatisfaction. It is less appropriate as a primary approach for trauma processing, personality disorders, or grief that requires exploration of the past.

How many sessions does SFBT typically involve?

As the name suggests, SFBT is designed to be brief — often 4–8 sessions. Research supports its effectiveness even at very short treatment durations. Many clients begin to notice meaningful change within the first two to three sessions as they start identifying exceptions and small steps forward. Some therapists use SFBT as a starting point and transition to other approaches if deeper work emerges as needed; others integrate SFBT techniques within a longer-term treatment approach.