What is Solution Focused Therapy?
There is a popular assumption that for therapy to be effective you must dig down to the root of the problem, dissect it, and deal with it head on. Are you a person who is avoiding going to therapy because you don’t want to tell the story of your problems yet again? Do you fear being re-traumatized through talking about all the bad things that have happened to you? Are you tired of therapists telling you it is all about your mother? Or maybe you’re looking for a therapy that can help you maintain good mental health. If this sounds like you, Solution Focused Therapy may be a fit.
Solution Focused Therapy helps my clients to find hope despite the problems that bring them to therapy. I work with individuals, couples, and families to identify their future hopes. The session can be seen as a type of virtual reality experience. When clients recall and experience their hope come to life virtually within the session, this helps my clients develop a clear picture in their mind of their preferred future. My job is to skillfully use your hope as my guide to ask the right questions to help you to identify the changes that are within your power to make, and to ignite your motivation to take the steps needed to make this preferred future become a reality in your life.
How Can Solution Focused Therapy Help?
We all must manage problems big and small in our lives. This is a constant truth. Solution Focused Therapy helps you to find ways forward despite the problems you may carry with you. I view you as the expert. Within you is all the capability needed, I just help you to see it and reclaim it.
How effective is Solution Focused Therapy?
Of course, there are multiple studies that show that Solution Focused Therapy is effective. Reviews of studies show that solution focused therapy is effective with varied populations (children, adolescents, adults, couples and families), from diverse populations with a broad range of presenting concerns (e.g., depression and anxiety, stress, parenting, behavioural and interpersonal difficulties).
But here’s what’s really powerful about Solution Focused Therapy that sets it apart. Solution Focused Therapy is a hope amplifier. What do I mean by that? The nature of this therapy is to fill you with hope and expectancy about your future. Research has shown that this improves what is going to happen in therapy, which is already helpful, by another 15%. It’s like adding extra power to your engine to get you to your chosen destination faster.
SF Therapists Will:
- Help you stay focused on hope for your preferred future
- View you as the expert
- Guide you to uncover your hidden strengths and identify your resources
- Uncover exceptions to the problem to keep a positive focus
- Believe in you; you are capable to become the best version of yourself
- Ask you questions that speed your journey on the road towards your chosen destination
At Eckert Centre, individual therapy for all ages is available along with family therapy and couples counselling. Visit https://eckertpsychology.janeapp.com/ to book your New Client Initial Intake Session or a free consultation call with one of our team members.
Harriet Johnston is a Registered Psychologist at Eckert Psychology & Education Centre. Harriet holds a PhD in Psychology/Neuroscience. Harriet’s primary Counselling approach is using Solution Focused Therapy in supporting individuals, couples, and families to realize their best hopes. She is also one of our team’s lead assessment providers, providing psychoeducational and mental health evaluations. She also provides academic counselling to students of all ages including those with learning disabilities, ADHD, ASD, and/or gifted abilities.
For additional information see:
Positive Psychology – What is Solution-Focused Therapy: 3 Essential Techniques https://positivepsychology.com/solution-focused-therapy/
