Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Burnaby
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in BC
Starting counselling with Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is like using a GPS to navigate toward your destination. While past experiences might have left you feeling lost or stuck, SFBT helps you recalibrate your route by focusing on your strengths and the solutions already within reach. As your therapist, I act as a co-pilot, guiding you to identify clear goals and actionable steps to move forward. Instead of dissecting past roadblocks, we prioritize your innate ability to steer toward growth, using tools like the “Miracle Question” and scaling progress to chart a clear path. Whether you’re navigating a temporary detour or seeking a new direction, SFBT empowers you to trust your resilience and drive toward meaningful change.
I am a registered clinical counsellor (#19428) trained in SFBT to support individuals in creating meaningful change by building on what’s already working.
In our sessions, we’ll focus on your strengths, resources, and the progress you’ve already made. SFBT is a practical, forward-looking approach that helps you set clear goals and take actionable steps toward them.
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby, I integrate SFBT into in-person and online sessions for adults and youth. My goal is to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
What is SFBT?
SFBT is a future-focused, evidence-based approach developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg. It emphasizes solutions over problems, focusing on present strengths and future possibilities rather than past struggles. Rooted in positive psychology, SFBT helps clients construct actionable plans by identifying exceptions to challenges and scaling progress.
Key principles include:
- Goal-Oriented Navigation: Clarifying your vision of success and breaking it into achievable steps.
- The Miracle Question: Envisioning life without current challenges to inspire actionable goals.
- Exception-Seeking: Highlighting moments when the problem was absent or manageable.
- Scaling Questions: Tracking progress on a 1–10 scale to build motivation.
SFBT was developed through real-world experience. It focuses on practical tools and encourages empowerment and resilience. Because of its positive, goal-oriented approach, it’s widely used in mental health, education, and community settings.
What are the benefits of SFBT?
SFBT is ideal for individuals seeking efficient, practical results. It’s recommended for those who want to focus on what’s working. Some key benefits include:
- Empowerment: Building confidence in your ability to create change.
- Actionable Strategies: Small, realistic steps for immediate impact.
- Adaptability: Addresses challenges like stress, transitions, or relationship issues.
- Positive Focus: Cultivating hope by emphasizing strengths and solutions.
- Broad Applications: Used in schools, workplaces, and communities for systemic change.
Questions about SFBT
- Who can benefit from SFBT?
SFBT is ideal for individuals facing communication issues, work-related stress, life transitions, or anxiety. It’s particularly effective for those motivated to create swift, meaningful change and who prefer focusing on solutions. It also benefits people seeking clarity, goal-setting, or tools to leverage their existing strengths for progress.
- Can SFBT integrate with other therapies?
Yes, SFBT complements approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, or trauma-informed therapies. I will tailor sessions to integrate techniques that align with your needs, ensuring a holistic approach.
- How long does SFBT take?
The length of SFBT varies depending on individual needs and goals. Some clients benefit from short-term therapy focused on specific skills, while others engage in longer-term SFBT. You determine how many sessions are right for you, and I can support you with this decision.
- What is your role in SFBT?
I act as a collaborative guide, helping you clarify goals, identify exceptions to problems, and design achievable strategies. I use targeted questions to highlight your strengths and empower you to recognize your capacity for change.
Why choose At Ease Counselling for SFBT?
- Client-driven approach
At Ease Counselling sessions focus on meeting you where you are and working at your pace, alongside you, with compassion, kindness, and curiosity, both in Burnaby and online.
- Evidence-based modalities
At Ease Counselling, I incorporate evidence-based modalities in every session. I am trained in various evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Each of these modalities equips me to support your unique needs, and we work together to achieve your counselling goals.
- Anti-oppressive practice
At Ease Counselling understands the impact of inequality and oppression when supporting you in a safe, non-judgmental, inclusive space in Burnaby and online. People from all ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations, including 2SLGBTQ+, are welcome.
