Steps from the Green Line
Solution-Focused Therapy in Boston
Solution-focused therapy helps you address specific problems in your life and develop functional strategies and approaches to fix the problem. The problem can be anything, from behavioral issues to relationship problems to even challenges struggling with your mental health.
You could have ADHD, for example, and struggle to keep up with your university course load. You could alternatively be struggling with anxiety and stress at work, or your relationship may feel like it’s falling apart.
We can help you address your problems by helping you understand the causes behind your feelings and then working together to find solutions that work—fast.
What is Solution-Focused Therapy?
Solution-focused therapy was developed in the 1980s by Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer et al., who created a method for helping individuals learn specific solutions to quickly improve a client’s situation.
Solution-focused therapy has since been rigorously tested in over 150 studies and found to be largely positive. While it may not work for everyone, it is an efficient approach to managing child behavioral problems, your behavioral problems, mental health issues, and relationship challenges.
Solution-Focused Therapy (SBT) vs Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Solution-focused therapy and solution-focused brief therapy are two terms for the same treatment. Both solution-focused therapy (SBT) and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) work quickly, use specific questioning techniques, and work to create positive changes in a client’s life.
Who is Solution-Focused Therapy For?
Solution-focused therapy can help many people overcome their problems by helping them use the tools and strengths they already have in their lives to help see change.
It can help those who are experiencing:
Relationship Problems
Solution-focused therapy is commonly used by couples and families who are struggling to connect. Studies have shown that SFBT works to reduce marital burnout and reduce behavioral problems in children.
Depression
Those with depression tend to struggle with managing their routines and reaching their goals. SFBT works to set achievable goals and focuses on the strengths and skills you already have to help you see quick results.
Low Self-Esteem
If your self-esteem is low for any reason, SFBT can help you take steps towards gaining confidence by helping you envision your goals and then working together to build strategies and solutions to get there.
Stress or anxiety
Chronic stress can result in mental and physical health concerns. SFBT can help you identify stressors and make changes in your personal, work, or school life.
Addiction
Addiction recovery is a thousand small steps. SFBT can help you focus on how to make each small step and how to recover if you relapse.
SFBT is not suitable for those with major psychiatric conditions – at least, not at the start. Rest assured, we’ll adjust your treatment plan accordingly so you always get the best treatment options for your needs. As you progress through your treatment plan, we can introduce therapies like solution-focused therapy to help you quickly change your routine and approach to life.
Solution-Focused Therapy Benefits
You can expect several benefits when you start solution-focused therapy with a licensed SFBT therapist at Back Bay Mental Health in Boston, MA.
Fast Results
Solution-focused therapy focuses on solutions, not so much on helping you process your mental health or trauma. Since the focus of your therapy sessions is more minor, you’ll usually see therapy results faster.
For example, a goal can be learning how to manage your well-being and stress at your busy university or college. With solution-focused brief therapy, we can help you understand what you need to overcome your anxiety and burnout from your course load and devise steps toward that solution.
Solution Building
SFBT emphasizes solutions rather than processing. Your therapist guides you through your problem and helps you identify the solutions needed to fix or alleviate your issues. This solution-focused approach helps you make significant progress in your life.
Empower Clients
Breaking down complex problems into manageable steps can help our clients feel empowered. Not only will clients identify issues and solutions, but they will have direct control over their life and future. This control can help you achieve more than just your immediate goals, as the skills you learn with your SFBT therapist can be applied widely throughout your life.
Create Solutions Collaboratively
You won’t just be doing what your therapist says. Your therapist’s role is to guide you, not lead you. They use questions instead of telling you what to do. Your therapist is there to help, but it’s a collaborative effort. You work with your therapist to develop solutions and the process that takes you from your current state of being to where you happily see yourself in the future.
Improve Your Ability to Communicate
Another benefit of this type of treatment is that you will learn how to communicate your issues, concerns, and goals more clearly and concisely. This communication is done both in session with your therapist and outside of sessions.
After all, it would be best to advocate for your needs outside of therapy. An ADHD student, for example, can only do so much to reach their goals on their own. You must include your university in accessing the resources necessary to make real strides toward those goals.
How Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Works
Solution-focused therapy works in a few key ways. With this psychotherapy treatment, therapists work to help you:
Identify and Develop Achievable Goals
The first step is to focus and identify your goals. Most clients come into their sessions with problems, not goals. That’s why our therapists will start by asking questions designed to help you identify and flesh out your goals. Keeping each goal small and achievable is essential for seeing results fast.
Identify Pre-Session Changes
Your solution-focused brief therapy counselor will also ask questions about how your situation has changed between sessions. The goal here is to help you identify strategies, skills, and methods you might have used that saw an improvement. You may also benefit from identifying triggers that worsened your problem or progress.
By learning to identify both positive and negative changes, you can work to recreate progress week after week.
Identify Exceptions to Your Problem
There are always exceptions to your problem, and these are important. For example, you may struggle with anxiety when talking and socializing, but not with your best friend. Understanding the exceptions can help you pick out why those exceptions exist. Identifying these exceptions can help you uncover the solution to your problem.
Keep Your Focus on the Present and Future
Outside of pre-session change questions, most psychotherapy sessions will focus on the present and the future. SFBT concentrates on the present and future instead of the past because this is where you can change. By focusing on what you can do, you can work to create positive changes rather than overthink what’s already passed.
The Miracle Question: Envisioning Your Goal Realized
Your therapist will also ask what’s known as miracle questions. A miracle question is, essentially, what would it take for all your problems to disappear? You’ll also be asked what your life would look like if that miracle occurred and your issues disappeared.
By envisioning the solution that would fix everything and the outcome, you and your therapist can then work on developing solutions that help you reach that better future.
Active Listening, Validation, and Compliments
Finding solutions isn’t the only thing that your therapist will do. This therapeutic approach is about listening, validating, and complimenting your efforts. We help you build confidence in your solution-finding skills; to do that, our therapists employ active listening techniques, empathetic understanding, and unconditional positive regard. The goal is to create a supportive environment where you can brainstorm, explore, and find solutions.
Why Choose Back Bay Mental Health?
We are a private IOP* individual and family therapy center. We are here to help you manage your mental health and find solutions to your problems. We accept insurance from most major providers, so if you want solution-based treatment from experts, check your insurance plan and contact our experts today.
We offer everything you need to identify, manage, and solve life’s problems. You can get solution-focused therapy independently or as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan. With us, you’ll benefit from:
Fully Flexible Scheduling
We are an intensive outpatient program*, which means we have extended opening hours. You can fit us in between classes, after work, or in between your other responsibilities. If your schedule changes, we can adjust when you see us each week.
Access to Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Holistic Therapy
You will have access to psychiatric care, psychotherapy, holistic treatment, and medication management, all under one roof. With us, you can benefit from a rounded treatment plan that works to help you physically, mentally, and emotionally.
One-on-One Therapy and Group Therapy
We offer one-on-one sessions with our therapists, as well as group therapy. Group therapy is beneficial if you suffer from a mental health condition like depression, anxiety, addiction, or grief. Connecting with others can help you feel less alone and be a source of solutions.
Private, Luxury Facilities
Our private, luxury facilities are designed to help you feel comfortable, relaxed, and safe during each session. This positive environment allows us to give every client the space to consider their challenges, problems, and trauma safely.
Personalized Care
Every client is given a personalized treatment plan. This plan is based on therapist recommendations, preferences, and needs. If solution-focused therapy doesn’t work for you, we will find a treatment that does.
Do I Qualify for Solution-Focused Therapy in MA?
Solution-focused brief therapy is a specific approach that can help you address specific problems in your life. You can come to us with specific problems that you are struggling with or we can include solution-focused brief therapy as part of your wider treatment plan.
Many clients use solution-focused brief therapy to quickly see desired outcomes. This progress in parts of your life can help keep you motivated throughout the rest of your therapy treatment plan.
Before taking on any new client, we always start with an evaluation. During this evaluation, we’ll ask about your concerns, struggles, and what you want from therapy. We will then devise a personalized treatment plan based on your exact needs. This personalized treatment plan may mean starting with solution-focused therapy or a different option, like person-focused therapy.
However, if you wish to include solution-focused brief therapy, we are more than happy to do so. We’ll work with you to identify your desired outcomes and then collaborate with you to devise strategies and solutions that help you reach your goals.
Get Started with Our Solution-Focused Therapeutic Approach Today
We can help you with your mental and behavioral health, so get in touch with our team today. We will assemble a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that includes solution-focused therapy to help you address your concerns and mental health in a safe, supportive environment.
We will work around your schedule, adjust treatment based on what’s working and what isn’t, and can help you achieve your goals. All you need to start your personal improvement journey is to contact our team today. There is no waiting list as a private facility, so we can immediately book you in for your first session.