Solution-focused brief therapy concentrates on the changes a person wants and the occasions when the problem has been less powerful. Rather than analysing every cause, the therapist helps identify strengths, useful exceptions and small next steps that move life towards a preferred future. The approach is practical, hopeful and usually delivered over a focused course.
Defining a preferred future, identifying exceptions and strengths, using scaling questions and agreeing small next steps.
May suit a focused current goal and a preference for practical conversation that does not dwell extensively on causes.
It is typically brief and collaborative. It may be less suitable when a person needs detailed trauma processing or risk support.
Evidence is mixed across settings and concerns; the approach should not imply that difficult experiences can be solved quickly.