Solution Focused Brief Therapy in London

Solution focused brief therapy helps you focus on answers instead of problems

Want a better life but can't seem to create it? Solution focused therapy helps you change how you feel about yourself and start taking action. It's a great choice if you want something uplifting and positive, and not to just talk about your past or your problems. 

What is solution focused brief therapy?

As the name suggests, solution focused brief therapy (also called brief therapy, or solution focused therapy) is a short-term psychotherapy. It aims to help you recognise and use your strengths and skills to achieve your goals. 

SFBT is based on the concept that just because a problem is complicated, doesn't mean its solution needs to be. Most of the time we already have the inner resources we need to manage our issues, but just need help recognising what these are.

How is SFBT different to other therapies?

Unlike other talk therapies that tend to analyse your past, solution focused brief therapy is future-orientated. It only looks backward to remember times in your life when things were more like what you want them to be. This gives you a more balanced perspective of yourself, and shows you the skills you already have and can apply in the present to feel successful again. 

SFBT is also committed to what it calls ‘problem free talk’. This means each week you will be encouraged to discuss what is working in your life, not just what isn’t. We are all more than just our issues.

How many SFBT sessions do I need?

This is something you can decide between you and your therapist. It might be as little as four weekly sessions, or as many as 24. 

What issues does it help with? 

One of the key areas brief therapy is used in is addiction counselling, most notably for treating problem drinking. But it's good for many issues. Four research studies¹, for example, found it particularly effective for treating depression. 

Other issues it could help with include: 

• eating disorders
• low self-esteem
• parenting issues
• relationship problems
• sexual problems
• sleep problems
• suicidal thinking.

What results can I expect from SFBT sessions? 

Solution focused brief therapy can help you recognise the strengths and resources you already have to create success both in the here and now and in your future. You'll feel more confident and more aware of what you are actually capable of. 

Step towards a more confident you 

Considering trying SFBT in London? All psychotherapists and counselors at  Harley Therapy™ have a minimum of ten years postgraduate experience and have trained at a renowned UK institution. We are committed to delivering results.

Call us today, or alternately book a consultation online for any of our three clinics at Harley Street, London Bridge, or City of London.  

What is a session like? – the Harley Therapy™ approach

Your Harley Therapy™ SFBT practioner will create a warm, supportive environment for you to work together in. Every week your therapist will take time to give you positive feedback on how you are doing.

The main tool your SFBT therapist will then use with you is questions. SFBT questions include things like ‘miracle questions’.  If a miracle occurred overnight, what would be better in your life?

Before the end of your session you will be invited to decide on your next step forward. This could be a small change you are ready to try, or an action that produced results for you previously that you could now do more of. 

Footnotes 

^{1 Gingerich WJ, Peterson LT. Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A Systematic Qualitative Review of Controlled Outcome Studies. Research on Social Work Practice. 2013;23(3):266-283. doi:10.1177/1049731512470859.}