Solution Focused Brief Therapy for Depression and Anxiety

Many employee assistance programmes adopt a model known as solution-focused brief therapy for their service users. Having seen the many benefits of this therapeutic model for a variety of mental health concerns, we wanted to shed light on how it can positively help facilitate improved mental health, particularly in service users who’ve experienced anxiety and/or depression.

What is solution focused brief therapy?

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a type of therapeutic intervention that focuses on goal-setting, as well as addressing issues affecting you in the here and now.

Developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg co-developed SFBT as a therapeutic approach that focuses on future solutions and client strengths, rather than past problems (such as childhood traumas and/or pre-existing mental health conditions). They founded the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee in 1978 to research and develop SFBT into what is now a widely used practice all over the world.

Techniques in SFBT

According to the Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy, techniques in SFBT involve:

• Miracle Question (imagining problems solved)

• Scaling Questions (measuring progress)

• Exception-Finding (identifying past successes)

• Coping Questions (how clients manage problems)

• Compliments (acknowledging strengths) 

The latter is particularly useful in guiding individuals toward future solutions by focusing on their existing resources and strengths.

Unlike other therapeutic practices like CBT – it doesn’t focus on understanding the past or ‘noticing’ patterns, but rather, facilitating clients to recognise and build upon their current strengths – no matter how small the client may perceive them to be.

SFBT vs other common therapeutic practices

SFBT differs from other types of therapeutic intervention, due to its heavy emphasis on goal-oriented outcomes on present issues. Although it shares some characteristics with person-centred counselling, it ultimately differs in the sense that SFBT is future-oriented and helps the individual deal with immediate concerns in a shorter period of time.

Other therapeutic practices like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy, often involve a deeper exploration of the past, problem analysis, and a more structured, therapist-led approach.

How long does solution focused therapy last for? 

Depending on the severity of the issue(s) the client presents, SFBT therapy can range from 6-12 sessions. This can be longer or shorter, depending on progress. With the clue in the name, the sessions are designed to be used for a brief period. And if a client feels they need further intervention for a concern, and the counsellor deems it clinically appropriate, they may recommend another avenue of talking therapy such as CISMD, person-centred or psychodynamic.

Solution focused therapy for anxiety – how it can help

Since anxiety often evokes feelings of excessive worry and terror about present and future events, it’s not uncommon for this state to make an individual feel like they’re “stuck”.

With SFBT intervention, a counsellor can guide the anxious individual into a more solution-focused mindset, by gently shifting their focus onto solutions. Whether it’s by helping them identify small moments where they’ve overcome anxiety, it can empower the individual over time by enabling them to find solutions to their obstacles.

Due to the brief nature of sessions using the SFBT model, clients can quickly and effectively learn healthy coping strategies to deal with their issues as soon as possible.

Solution focused therapy for depression – how it can help

Depression can often cause apathy and hopelessness in an individual. SFBT can be incredibly effective in helping foster hope, by empowering the client to find a unique solution, recall past successes (and how they have managed to achieve and sustain some of the times when the problem was absent or less severe), and goal-setting.

It’s imperative for the counsellor – no matter what they’re helping the client with – to be mindful of the language they use when following the SFBT model. This can involve really placing themselves in their client’s shoes, and using language that can help shift perspective rather than dismiss.

How an Employee Assistance Programme can help

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) often uses SFBT for callers in need of mental health support. Depending on your subscription, your people can benefit from 6-8 or 10-12 sessions, with the latter being available as part of our Peak Performance EAP. At HA | Wisdom Wellbeing – the UK’s only nationally accredited EAP provider by the BACP and NCPS - we pride ourselves in the use of the SFBT model, as well as other interventions if deemed clinically appropriate such as digital CBT, CISMD and more.

Conclusion

SFBT as a therapeutic intervention is highly Effective for individuals needing a goal-oriented approach to therapy. As it’s often completed much faster than other therapeutic practices, and works to the client’s strengths, they can take action points from sessions and apply them straight away. While there are a whole host of benefits of the SFBT model, caution must be taken with individuals who require more long-term therapeutic intervention(s).

Frequently asked questions about solution focused brief therapy

What are the key principles of solution focused brief therapy?

• Change is constant

• There must be a willingness to change

• You are the expert

• You already have the tools and resources to overcome challenges

• Focus on what’s possible

• Be solution-focused.

What is the miracle question in SFBT?

The “Miracle Question” is a therapeutic technique used in SFBT to encourage clients to think about a future where the problem is resolved. The counsellor will ask the client what their life would look like if the issues was resolved. From there they can work backwards to identify solutions to problems.

Is SFBT good for trauma?

While SFBT certainly has benefits for supporting the anxiety-based symptoms that often stem from trauma, it should be combined with other more appropriate therapeutic interventions specifically designed to deal with traumatic experiences.

When not to use SFBT?

SFBT isn’t an appropriate therapeutic practice for individuals looking to understand why they are experiencing issues or to uncover underlying concerns. It’s mainly used to focus on the strengths they currently have to work towards positively-driven goals that deal with immediate concerns.