Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a short-term therapeutic approach that allows patients to develop solutions instead of overanalyzing the problem. It uses a positive emotional response to create and sustain behavioral change. SFBT has various perceived and real benefits that have made it popular among counselors across different disciplines. It is prudent to understand the merits of the therapy before evaluating their effectiveness.
One of the major reasons the counselors prefer SFBT is that it is not as time-consuming as traditional therapy. In the classical approach, therapists must explore their client's past to understand their current problems. The process takes time due to several reasons such as patients’ poor recollection, unwillingness to explore the past, and difficulty in relating various events. However, in SFBT, clients describe their current predicament to the counselor, who then guides them in developing solutions (Lustbader, 2020). Counselors can then attend to more patients, which is necessary today due to the increasing mental health awareness.
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The positivity that SFBT offers motivates clients to use therapy in solving problems. Traditional counseling often involves uncomfortable sessions in which the clients must recollect traumatic or embarrassing events (Lustbader, 2020). However, the goal-oriented approach of SFBT encourages patient cooperation, and thus yields better outcomes.
While SFBT has irrefutable advantages over traditional therapy, counselors must be cautious when using it. Despite the lack of historical review in the process, therapists should evaluate their clients' per in-session conduct, communication skills, and the nature of their current problem before commencing SFBT. Some situations may require a deeper understanding of the patient before formulating solutions. Meanwhile, the element of positivity is a welcome addition to therapeutic processes. If SFBT helps promote counseling culture in a society riddled with mental health challenges, it should be examined further and refined for large-scale utilization.
Reference
Lustbader, R. (2020). What Is Solution-Based Therapy? Retrieved from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/what-is-solution-based-therapy/