What is Solution Focused Therapy?

SFT is a talking therapy that focusses on the client's preferred future, rather than on what is going wrong. By describing their preferred future in detail, and considering the next small step they could take towards that vision, many people begin to make small changes in their lives. Once they see this happening, they remember that they are effective at living their own lives in the way they choose.

SFT aims to help people make changes. It helps people develop solutions that are particular to themselves and their situation. It is not a one-size-fits-all therapy.

The SFT therapist works by asking questions that bring out the strengths of the person. The conversations of SFT, because they focus on strengths rather than deficits, can be fun and rewarding for both people.

SFT was developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg in the 70s and 80s, drawing on the work of Milton Erikson and others. There are now many leading exponents of the field, each with their own different emphasis. The field is being shaped all the time as SFT is being used in more settings.

SFT is suitable for all kinds of problems, long or sort term, and can be used to work with people in crisis as well as those who have suffered with problems for many years. SFT is not very helpful where the client is wanting to explore for exploration's sake, as most of SFT is aimed at helping the person clarify their goals and make changes.

Comprehensive bibliography in Word format download (61k)
Seven page introductory handout in Word format download (82k)
Introductory Powerpoint Presentation by Harry Korman download (114k)