1. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Groups
Chapter Sixteen
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
in Groups

2. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
SFBT is a future focused, goal-oriented therapeutic approach to group work
SFBT looks at the strengths of a person and past successes
In a solution-focused group, the member, not the therapist, is the expert
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (1)

3. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
SFBT leaders engage members in conversations about what is going well, their resources, and future possibilities
SFBT is based on the optimistic assumption that members are:
resilient and resourceful
competent and able to construct solutions to change their lives 2
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (2)

4. Key Concepts of SFBT
SFBT is grounded on a positive orientation—people are healthy and competent
The past is downplayed while the present and future are highlighted
Therapy is concerned with looking for what is working
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (3)

5. Key Concepts of SFBT
Group leaders assist members in finding exceptions to their problems
There is a shift from “problem-orientation” to “solution-focus”
The emphasis of SFBT is on constructing solutions rather than problem solving 4
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (4)

6. Basic Assumptions of SFBT
Solution talk enables group counseling to be brief; Concentrating on successes leads to beneficial changes
Problem-focused thinking prevents people from recognizing effective ways they have dealt with problems
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (5)

7. Basic Assumptions of SFBT
It is important to consider exceptions to every problem, or times when the problem was minimal or absent
Group members often present only one side of themselves
They are encouraged to examine another side of the story they present 6
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (6)

8. Basic Assumptions of SFBT
No problem is constant and change is inevitable
Small changes pave the way for larger changes
Leaders need to adopt a cooperative stance because people are trying their best to change
Each individual is unique; thus, solutions must be unique 7
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (7)

9. Role and Functions of Group Leader
SFBT group leaders adopt “a not knowing position”
Members think about their future and what they want to be different in their lives
The group leader has expertise, but is not an expert in how members should live
Members are experts on their own lives
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (8)

10. Role and Functions of Group Leader
Emphasis is given to creating a therapeutic partnership
The leader prefers a collaborative stance
Care, interest, respectful curiosity, openness, contact, and fascination are seen as relational necessities
Leaders keep members on a “solution” track instead of “problem” track 9
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (9)

11. Process of the SFBT Group
Steps in the change process
Set the tone for the group
Begin to set goals
Search for exceptions to the problem
Encourage motivation
Assist group members with task development
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (10)

12. Process of the SFBT Group
Creating member goals
Members are assisted in creating clear, well-defined goals
Goals should be:
stated in the positive in the client’s language
process or action-oriented
structured in the here-and-now
attainable, concrete, and specific
controlled by the client
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (11)

13. Process of the SFBT Group
Terminating
From the very first session, the leader is mindful of termination
Members discuss ways to continue the changes they have made and identify perceived hurdles or barriers that could get in the way of maintaining their progress 12
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (12)

14. Questions in SFBT Groups
Skillful questions allow members to utilize their resources
Asking “how questions” that imply change can be useful
Effective questions focus attention on solutions
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (13)

15. Questions in SFBT Groups
Questions can get members to notice when things were better
Useful questions assist members in paying attention to what they are doing and what is working
Questions can open up possibilities for members to do something different 14
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (14)

16. Techniques Used in SFBT Groups
Pre-therapy change
Exception questions
Miracle question
Scaling questions
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (15)

17. SFBT Groups in Schools SFBT is a practical and time-effective approach
SFBT offers school counselors a collaborative framework for achieving small, concrete changes
SFBT is a good therapeutic model for counselors with large caseloads of students dealing with a multitude of issues
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (17)

18. SFBT Groups in Schools
This approach helps students develop positive goals instead of negative ones and is strength based
SFBT encourages the acceptance and accommodation of diverse opinions and beliefs
SFBT is based on clear concepts that are easy to learn 17
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (18)

19. Using SFBT with Multicultural Populations
Examples of questions to pose to clients
What challenges have you faced growing up in your culture?
How have you been able to draw on strengths and resources from your culture? 18
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (20)

20. Evaluation of SFBT Groups
Contributions and strengths of the approach
It rests on the optimistic assumption that people are competent
It focuses on possibilities rather than limitations
It operates from a nonpathologizing stance
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (28)

21. Evaluation of SFBT Groups
Contributions and strengths of the approach
The use of questioning is the centerpiece of this approach
It is brief, which makes each session count 20
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (29)

22. Evaluation of SFBT Groups
Limitations of the approach
In a short time, leaders need to make assessments, assist members in formulating specific goals, and make effective interventions
Inexperienced leaders may be enamored by SFBT techniques and not give enough attention to creating a therapeutic alliance with members
Theory and Practice of Group Counseling—Chapter 16 (30)