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All of our Calgary Psychologist Clinic’s therapists are experienced in using Solution Focused Therapy to help clients achieve their therapeutic goals. Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) are therapeutic approaches that focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. SFT is a form of psychotherapy that aims to help individuals identify their strengths, resources, and goals to create positive change in their lives. It is based on the belief that individuals already possess the necessary skills and knowledge to overcome their challenges.
SFT emphasizes collaboration between the therapist and the client, with the therapist taking a non-directive and supportive role. The therapy sessions typically begin by identifying the client’s desired outcome or goal. The therapist then helps the client explore exceptions to their current problems or situations when things have gone well. By focusing on these exceptions, clients gain insight into their own abilities and resources.
SFT emphasizes small, incremental changes rather than grand transformations. It operates under the assumption that even small steps towards the desired outcome can create a positive ripple effect in other areas of a person’s life. The therapist assists the client in setting achievable goals and identifying practical steps to work towards them.
SFT also utilizes scaling techniques, where the client rates their current situation or progress on a scale. This helps to create awareness of progress and build motivation. The therapy sessions are typically brief, as SFT aims to help clients achieve their goals efficiently and effectively.
SFBT is a specific application of SFT that focuses on brief interventions. It aims to address immediate concerns and create change within a short period. SFBT is often used in situations where time is limited or the client wants to focus on a specific issue.
SFBT therapists adopt a direct and goal-oriented approach. They assist clients in defining their goals clearly and developing a detailed vision of their preferred future. The therapist helps clients explore past successes and strengths to identify strategies that can be applied to the current challenge. The emphasis is on finding practical solutions and taking action steps.
Both SFT and SFBT have been found effective in a wide range of contexts, including individual therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy. These approaches focus on empowering clients and encouraging them to take an active role in their own growth and change process. By emphasizing strengths, resources, and solutions, these therapies offer a refreshing alternative to problem-focused approaches.
Dr. Raheleh Tarani
Clinical Psychologist
English, Farsi, Japanese (basic), Hindi, Turkish, Punjabi, Urdu
Research from 43 studies shows compelling evidence that Solution Focused Therapy yields positive results in behavioral and psychological treatments. The approach has grown significantly worldwide. Research since 2013 reveals that non-Western countries conduct twice as many studies as Western nations.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is remarkably efficient. It typically needs just four to eight sessions to work, unlike traditional therapeutic methods that take longer. The therapy has proven successful in many settings, from clinics to schools. Studies with groups of six to over 300 participants consistently report positive results, especially when treating common mental health issues that affect one in six adults in England.
Research methods in solution focused therapy have made major progress in the last three decades. The Brief Family Therapy Center researchers developed SFBT through clinical observations and client data analysis between 1978 and 1984 [1]. The field has grown substantially since then. The number of randomized clinical trials jumped from 15 studies in 2000 to 143 by March 2017 [2].
Solution-focused brief therapy’s success has been tracked through several indicators and metrics. A detailed meta-analysis of 72 studies and 489 effect sizes showed a large overall effect (g = 1.17) on psychosocial problems [3]. SFBT showed better results in non-clinical samples (g = 1.50) than in clinical samples (g = 0.78) [3]. Group therapy produced stronger outcomes (g = 1.64) compared to individual therapy (g = 0.48) [3].
The quality assessment of existing studies reveals different levels of methodological rigor. Research evaluations identified these key quality indicators:
Use of randomization protocols
Implementation of control groups
Application of validated outcome measures
Adherence to treatment manuals
Sample sizes exceeding 25 participants [4]
Recent analysis of 251 published outcome studies showed SFBT’s superiority to control groups in approximately 90% of cases [3]. Looking at just the 91 randomized controlled trials, solution focused therapy managed to keep its effectiveness in 70% of studies [3]. Research now spans 33 countries and covers many cultural contexts and intervention settings [3].
A review of 25 systematic reviews, including 15 meta-analyzes, confirmed SFBT’s effectiveness for depression, overall mental health, and progress towards individual goals [5]. However, researchers point out that only one-third of interventions were manualized, which suggests we need more standardized implementation protocols [3].
Solution-focused brief therapy works exceptionally well for mental health conditions of all types. Research shows great results in many therapy settings.
SFBT interventions have proven to help people overcome depression. A newer study shows that people who received SFBT had a 47% reduction in depression symptoms and their anxiety levels dropped by 43% [6]. The depression scores went down from an original mean of 18.17 to 9.71, while anxiety improved from 14.69 to 8.43 [6]. Teenagers with major depressive disorder showed fewer symptoms after just three SFBT sessions [7].
The results look promising for behavioral disorders, especially in young people. A meta-analysis found a small to medium positive effect size (g = 0.43) for child behavioral problems [8]. SFBT worked particularly well for external behaviors, with an effect size of 0.43 [8]. These results show how well SFBT adapts to different ages and behavioral challenges.
SFBT matches or beats other therapy approaches in effectiveness. Studies show that SFBT gets similar results to 20-year-old treatments like Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy, but needs fewer sessions – usually five to eight [9]. A complete analysis revealed:
SFBT performed better in 94.1% of comparisons with no-treatment groups
The therapy had a 100% success rate against waitlist controls
SFBT beat standard treatment in 88.4% of cases [10]
SFBT works beyond traditional clinical settings. Studies show bigger effects in non-clinical samples (g = 1.50) compared to clinical populations (g = 0.78) [11]. These findings prove SFBT’s value both as a main treatment and as extra support.
Recent research shows how solution focused therapy works well in a variety of settings. Studies spanning 33 countries consistently show positive results in many therapeutic environments [5].
Solution focused brief therapy shows remarkable results when treating various psychological and social issues in clinical environments [5]. SFBT achieves positive outcomes in 88.4% of cases compared to traditional treatments [10]. Budget-friendly options exist for public health systems and individuals because the therapy takes less time [5].
Schools have become the perfect testing ground for solution focused therapy interventions. Elementary and college students show better results than junior high-school students [5]. The therapy’s success in schools covers:
Better academic achievement [12]
Fewer behavioral problems [13]
Better social skills [12]
Higher attendance rates [14]
SFBT works well in both K-12 and postsecondary education settings [12]. Group-based interventions in schools yield the strongest treatment effects [14]. The therapy’s flexibility allows it to work at individual, group, and organizational levels [12].
Solution focused brief therapy has made a successful jump to digital platforms. Online SFBT sessions match the results of in-person treatment, and show even better results four months after treatment [1]. Research during the COVID-19 pandemic showed major improvements in adolescents’ anxiety and depression through online SFBT [15].
Web-based SFBT chat sessions create reliable and meaningful changes [1]. People who receive online SFBT experience big drops in anxiety symptoms, matching the results of traditional in-person therapy [1]. The digital version of solution focused therapy keeps its therapeutic power while making it easier for clients to access.
Research about client experiences with solution focused therapy shows positive results in many areas. Clients find several SF elements helpful. We noticed that problem-free talk, future hopes, and progress analysis work best [16].
Clients report major improvements during their therapy with solution focused brief therapy. A meta-analysis shows that SFBT participants experienced a 59% reduction in psychosocial outcomes [11]. Clients valued three aspects of their progress: quick improvements, positive changes, and reaching their therapy goals [16].
Solution focused therapy’s relationship with clients stands out. SFBT makes it easier for clients to develop their own solutions and builds their confidence [17]. Yes, it is an approach that creates respectful and collaborative relationships with clients [11]. Research shows this therapeutic approach guides clients to:
Increased hope and positive emotions
Better focus on desired outcomes
More involvement in finding solutions [17]
Follow-up studies show lasting positive results. A detailed study following clients for 18 months found an 80% success rate. The study showed 65.6% of clients met their goals while 14.7% reported major improvements [18]. After 18 months, 86% of clients kept their therapeutic gains [18]. These results came from SFBT’s emphasis on building solutions by finding client’s strengths and supporting successful strategies [4].
Research shows three solution focused therapy techniques work well. These methods create positive results in a variety of therapeutic settings.
The miracle question creates remarkable results when therapists use it correctly. This technique helps clients paint a clear picture of life without their current problems [4]. The miracle question does more than set goals. It creates imaginary experiences of positive change, helps clients spot exceptions, and builds progressive narratives [2]. The technique’s success rate goes up when therapists stay relaxed yet focused [2].
Real-world results prove scaling questions work in therapy sessions. These questions give therapists a way to measure their client’s progress [4]. A detailed study on scaling questions showed they let practitioners:
Track client motivation levels
Measure their client’s sense of control
Check progress toward goals [4]
The exception-finding technique stands out as a key part of solution focused therapy. This approach helps spot times when problems fade or disappear, which lets clients copy what worked before [4]. Exception questions give clients more power by showing their existing strengths and resources [4]. Clinical data shows that finding past exceptions builds hope and resilience because solutions come from the client’s proven abilities [4].
Clinical research shows that solution focused therapy works well with therapy approaches of all types. Studies reveal that treatments combining SFBT with other techniques work just as well or better than standalone treatments [4].
Research shows positive results when solution focused therapy combines smoothly with interpersonal neurobiology. The brain’s right side becomes more active and therapeutic relationships grow stronger [19]. Combined approaches target both brain hemispheres – SFBT helps identify solutions on the left side while building connections on the right [19].
Research on SFBT combined with narrative therapy reveals significant improvements in married couples’ relationships [20]. Clients can benefit in several ways:
Process past events through narrative techniques
Develop future-focused solutions through SFBT methods
Build on existing strengths and resources
Create lasting behavioral changes [20]
Hybrid therapeutic models with solution focused therapy prove highly successful. The largest longitudinal study found that treatments mixing SFBT with other techniques succeeded in 90% of cases [21]. Single solution-focused techniques showed less success, with all but one of these studies showing better results [21].
Research confirms that SFBT remains effective when combined with other approaches [21]. Therapists can adapt their methods while keeping the core benefits of solution-focused techniques [4]. Some experts promote using pure SFBT, but evidence suggests combining it with body-oriented and bottom-up approaches could improve therapeutic results, especially when treating trauma [22].
Solution-focused therapy faces several practical challenges that need careful thought. Research points to specific areas that need attention to get the best therapeutic results.
Getting certified in solution-focused therapy needs thorough preparation. Studies show therapists need 50 hours of direct solution-focused training plus 100 hours of personal and professional practice [3]. Direct training covers classroom lessons, live demos, and hands-on technique practice. Professional activities include clinical sessions, peer supervision, and solution-focused learning exercises. Practitioners must pass an objective exam and show they can apply their skills [3].
Clinical evidence shows this therapy doesn’t work well in certain cases. We found the approach has limited success with clients who have chronic disorders or complex trauma [23]. Therapists must assess if patients are ready to work on building solutions, because resistance to change can affect therapy outcomes by a lot [24]. Studies show solution-focused therapy might not work for:
People who need deep exploration of their past
Cases with serious issues like suicidal tendencies
Clients with eating disorders or severe abuse histories [23]
Solution-focused therapy shows positive results, but its research faces methodological hurdles. Many studies lack standardized outcome measures, proper baselines, or control groups [23]. A detailed review revealed all but one-third of interventions used standardized protocols [5]. The research also struggles with:
Small sample sizes that limit generalization
Strict participation criteria
Not enough details about intervention procedures [23]
Research suggests we need bigger, more thorough studies to better understand how well solution-focused therapy works [25]. Even with these limitations, the approach shows good results in a variety of settings, with 90% of studies performing better than control groups [26].
Solution Focused Brief Therapy is an evidence-based approach that works in many settings and conditions. Research from 33 countries shows positive outcomes in 90% of cases compared to control groups. Patients need substantially fewer sessions than traditional approaches.
Research consistently shows SFBT’s success rates in clinical, educational, and online environments. The therapy excels at treating depression and anxiety. Patients experience symptom reductions of 47% and 43% respectively. On top of that, it blends well with other therapeutic approaches, which makes it more practical to use.
SFBT remains a valuable therapeutic tool despite some challenges with standardization and methodology. Results show it continues to be effective, especially when therapists get proper training and carefully review patient suitability. Research indicates SFBT will keep evolving as practitioners and researchers work on current limitations while building on proven strengths.
The future looks bright for solution focused therapy in mental health treatment. It strikes the right balance between efficiency and proven results. The therapy’s success in settings of all types and its adaptation to online platforms makes it well-suited for future therapeutic needs.
Q1. How effective is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) compared to other therapeutic approaches? Research shows that SFBT is as effective as, and sometimes more effective than, other evidence-based practices like cognitive behavioral therapy. Studies indicate that SFBT achieves positive outcomes in about 90% of cases when compared to control groups, often requiring fewer sessions than traditional approaches.
Q2. What mental health conditions does SFBT effectively treat? SFBT has shown significant effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety. Studies report a 47% reduction in depression symptoms and a 43% reduction in anxiety levels among SFBT participants. It has also demonstrated positive outcomes for behavioral disorders in children and adolescents.
Q3. Can Solution-Focused Brief Therapy be delivered online? Yes, SFBT has successfully transitioned to digital platforms. Research shows that online SFBT sessions produce similar effect sizes to in-person treatment, with some studies even reporting higher effectiveness rates four months post-treatment. This digital adaptation maintains therapeutic impact while increasing accessibility for clients.
Q4. How do clients typically respond to Solution-Focused Brief Therapy? Client satisfaction with SFBT is generally high. Studies show that clients appreciate the therapy’s focus on immediate improvements, positive directional change, and achieving initial therapeutic aims. Long-term follow-up studies demonstrate sustained positive outcomes, with 86% of clients reporting maintenance of therapeutic gains after 18 months.
Q5. What are some limitations or challenges in implementing SFBT? Implementation challenges include rigorous therapist training requirements, with a minimum of 50 hours of direct solution-focused training and 100 hours of practice activities needed. SFBT may not be optimal for clients with chronic disorders or complex trauma. Additionally, some research methodology limitations exist, such as the need for larger sample sizes and more standardized protocols in studies.
[1] – https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10591-021-09599-1
[2] – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224706955_Making_a_Difference_in_Making_Miracles_Common_Roadblocks_to_Miracle_Question_Effectiveness
[3] – https://denversolutions.com/solution-focused-certification.html
[4] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10098109/
[5] – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10503307.2024.2406540
[6] – https://bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-024-02561-8
[7] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10957764/
[8] – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190740920320430
[9] – https://solutionfocused.net/research-in-solution-focused-therapy/
[10] – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01926187.2022.2069175
[11] – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735824001338
[12] – https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/712169
[13] – https://academic.oup.com/cs/article-abstract/30/1/15/391075
[14] – https://solutionfocused.net/sfbt-effective-schools/
[15] – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876201823002162
[16] – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371880871_What_Is_Helpful_The_Client’s_Perception_of_the_Solution-Focused_Brief_Therapy_Process_by_Level_of_Engagement
[17] – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385394918_The_current_evidence_of_solution-focused_brief_therapy_A_meta-analysis_of_psychosocial_outcomes_and_moderating_factors
[18] – https://olympicbehavioralhealth.com/therapies/sfbt/
[19] – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346852652_Bridging_the_Gap_Between_Solution-Focused_Brief_Therapy_and_Interpersonal_Neurobiology_A_Combined_Approach_for_Counseling_Families
[20] – https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=75580
[21] – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360477829_The_Global_Outcomes_of_Solution-Focused_Brief_Therapy_A_Revision
[22] – https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=97501
[23] – https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ875397.pdf
[24] – https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-limitations-of-solution-focused-therapy
[25] – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138422/
[26] – https://journalsfp.org/article/90976-research-on-the-solution-focused-approach-in-2022-a-scoping-review
Our Calgary Psychologist Clinic works with the best Psychologists and Counsellors to meet your needs. Our therapists are proficient in a range of theoretical frameworks and each have their unique strengths. We all believe in building therapeutic relationships based on respect and trust and put the well being of our clients first and foremost. We are here to help you succeed in achieving your therapeutic goals so that, when you are ready, can move beyond therapy and face your life’s challenges with more optimism and clarity. Whether you are facing depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, family issues, anger or something else, we will do our absolute best to help you!
Our Calgary Psychologists and therapists offer counselling and formal psychological assessment services for individuals, couples, and families. We tailor these services to meet the unique needs of each client. Our goal is to support our clients in achieving their personal and relational goals.
We help families improve communication and solve problems. We also offer assessments for learning disabilities and ADHD. Our support extends to various mental health issues. Our support covers many mental health issues.
Our therapists dedicate themselves to providing a safe and supportive environment for clients of all ages and backgrounds. They help clients explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The team is committed to creating a space where clients can feel comfortable and understood. They strive to help clients on their journey towards healing and growth.
We are here to help with individual therapy, couples counseling, or support for your child, teen or family. We offer counseling services in person and virtually. This makes it convenient and flexible for our clients to access our services. Whatever challenges you may be facing, we are committed to guiding you towards healing, growth, and greater well-being.
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In our Calgary counselling clinic, we help with many mental health problems. Our therapists can assist with a range of issues. These include grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, PTSD, eating disorders, postpartum depression, fears and phobias, ADHD, self-esteem issues, relationship difficulties, OCD and many more.
No matter what you’re dealing with, our therapists are here to provide evidence-based therapy that fits your needs. We want to help you overcome challenges, build resilience, and find more happiness and fulfillment in your life.
Finding a Psychologist or Counsellor that can help you clear your mind and find more inner peace doesn't have to be difficult. Because the therapeutic relationship is so important, we offer a Free Consult. Text or Call Today and get yours!
Our psychologists and therapists draw from a variety of counselling frameworks and theories when working with clients. Learn more about the many different frameworks and theories our psychologists, therapists, and counsellors use.
Yes! We have several psychologists and therapists that offer Calgary Couples Counselling, Marriage counselling and relationship counselling. Check our Couples Counselling service page to see what therapists specialize in providing Couples Counselling in Calgary and Alberta.
Yes! We provide direct billing where we can, it depends on your insurance company and the credentials of the therapist. Sunlife is one of the insurers that do not allow us to do direct billing. For Provisional psychologists we usually can only direct bill for AB Blue Cross and Greenshield. For Assessment work like psychoeducational assessments, we do not provide direct billing. We charge the assessment at the start of the process and when finished, we provide a letter outlining the services rendered that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement.
Yes! We have several therapists that speak multiple languages. Meet our team of psychologists and therapists to see what languages are available.
Our psychologists, counsellors and therapists will, at minimum, have a Master degree in a related field. Many are registered psychologists or provisional registered psychologists who are with licensed with the College of Alberta Psychologists and some are Canadian Certified Counsellors who are registered with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association See our therapists’ bios for detailed information about their credentials.
Our therapists are skilled in a variety of therapeutic frameworks. The most common framework is CBT, but all of our therapists are experienced in at least several frameworks and most are eclectic in the interventions they use, opting to use what works for the client instead of a adhering strictly to a single framework. Each therapist has the types of therapy they use listed on their profile page, and we also have a frameworks section that will list the therapists that use those frameworks on them.
Beyond frameworks, we offer Child, Youth, Couples/Marriage, and Individual counselling for men, women, seniors, and lgbtq identified individuals.
Yes! We have an office located across from Mount Royal University in Southwest Calgary, close to where Crowchild Trail Meets Glenmore Trail, and one office located in Brentwood NW Calgary close to University of Calgary.
Unfortunately, we do not offer sliding scale fees. Our fees can be accessed on our pricing page.
Yes! We offer online video or phone counselling in Calgary and throughout Alberta and beyond. While some clients are not interested in video counselling, we do have excellent therapists who work exclusively online and all of our therapists who offer in-person sessions also offer online video counselling.
We recommend taking advantage of the free consultation option first – you’ll get a chance to meet your therapist and ensure that the relationship is going to be a good fit and that you both believe you’ll be able to benefit from the relationship ahead of spending any money.
If you’re certain you just want to go ahead and book a session, simply send us a text message with your first name, last name, and email address, or provide it through the contact form. We will get you setup in the booking system, send you the intake forms to complete, and when done, get you booked!
Same day turn-around is generally very rare – we are not a crisis treatment center so if you can’t wait a little bit, it’s best to try contacting the Distress Centre.
That said, it does happen that we can get clients in with a therapist right away if there is an opening or a cancellation – the biggest hold up is getting the intake forms completed.
Yes! We offer assessments for both Adults and Children, and we offer Psycho Educational Assessments, ADHD Assessments, and Cognitive Assessments / IQ Tests. See the pricing page for further details. All our assessments are conducted by a College of Alberta Registered Psychologist who specializes in assessment work.
We frequently get asked questions about how long it will take to see improvements. This is a really difficult question to answer and depends more on the client, the issues they are dealing with, and where they are at in their life than the therapist. Our main goal is to help educate our clients and provide them with the tools so that they can improve their lives and move beyond therapy.
Online video counselling *can* be every bit as effective as in-person counselling, but it really depends on the situation. For young children, online counselling is likely not going to be effective because it’s much more difficult to engage them. For people dealing with very difficult mental health issues, or who already believe that online counselling is not effective, it likely won’t be as effective as in-person. However, for many clients who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, online counselling can be extremely effective and can be much more convenient for our busy schedules.
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