Solution‑Focused Therapy
Sometimes therapy needs to be practical and focused on what will help you move forward in the present. Solution-Focused Therapy is a brief, goal-oriented approach that concentrates on what is already working, what is possible, and the next steps that may create meaningful change.
Rather than analysing every detail of a problem, this approach focuses on strengths, resources, and past experiences where things have worked better. It looks at what you want life to look like, what may already be moving in that direction, and how those elements can be built on.
What Solution-Focused Therapy involves
This approach often includes:
Clarifying what you would like to be different in your life
Identifying existing strengths and coping strategies
Exploring times when the problem has felt less intense or more manageable
Finding small and realistic steps that move you toward the changes you want
Staying focused on progress rather than remaining stuck in the problem
This approach can be particularly helpful when you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to begin.
What Schema Therapy involves
What Schema Therapy involves
When a solution-focused approach can help
A solution-focused approach can be useful for situations such as:
Making decisions when you feel pulled between different options
Prioritising when several issues feel urgent at the same time
Breaking larger challenges into manageable steps
Regaining a sense of movement after feeling stuck
Recognising strengths and resources that may already be helping
It offers a practical way of creating movement while still keeping the broader picture in mind.
How I use ACT in therapy
How I use Solution-Focused Therapy
How Compassion-Focused Therapy can help
Solution-focused strategies are often woven into sessions when they are likely to be helpful. Some situations benefit from deeper exploration, while others benefit more from clarity, direction, and practical next steps.
In practice this may include:
Helping you sort through competing priorities
Supporting decision-making that aligns with your values
Identifying one or two concrete steps that feel achievable in the near future
Highlighting strengths or resources you may already be using
Solution-focused ideas blend naturally with other approaches used in therapy, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and compassion-focused work. This allows both insight and practical strategies to develop together.