Photo of Thomas M Kaufman, Psychologist in 60093, IL
Thomas M Kaufman
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Winnetka, IL 60093
Life is a journey that comes at us in waves or phases. These waves can knock us off our feet and, as a result, often feel insurmountable. I admire the bravery you show by coming to treatment and am honored to be part of your journey. By doing this, we will alleviate current symptoms and make connections between past and present. This will leave you with your eyes wide open to impending waves; thus, lessening their impact.
Life is a journey that comes at us in waves or phases. These waves can knock us off our feet and, as a result, often feel insurmountable. I admire the bravery you show by coming to treatment and am honored to be part of your journey. By doing this, we will alleviate current symptoms and make connections between past and present. This will leave you with your eyes wide open to impending waves; thus, lessening their impact.
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Solution Focused Brief (SFBT) Therapists

How does solution-focused therapy work?

The treatment works by helping a client notice which behaviors and thoughts have positive results on their lives and building a plan around how to maximise these strengths. Practitioners of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) believe that individuals already have the experience, wisdom, and resilience to create change in their lives, but may need a guide to help them realise which changes to make and how to make them.

Is solution-focused brief therapy evidence-based?

Yes. Solution-focused brief therapy has been extensively studied, and researchers find strong evidence that it’s an effective treatment for many behavioral and psychological concerns. This may be due to the uplifting nature and practicality of the treatment, which allows patients to employ strategies to reach their goals that are incremental and achievable.

How long does solution-focused brief therapy last?

Solution-focused brief therapy, as the name implies, is brief. The timeline may vary from person to person, given the challenges they face and their situation in life, but treatment is typically complete within four to eight sessions. This therapy type is a pragmatic one: it’s concerned more with “how” problems can be addressed and improved than getting to the root of “why” they exist in the first place.

Is solution-focused brief therapy a type of cognitive behavioral therapy?

Solution-focused brief therapy is related to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)in that both are pragmatic approaches that deal less with gaining a full understanding of the cause of a mental health problem and more with creating plans for how to cope with these problems and improve an individual’s day-to-day life. They are distinct, however, in that SFBT emphasises building on strengths and resources, while CBT focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors.