Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

SFBT starts with what you want to be different, then explores when pieces of that preferred future are already happening—even in small ways. Through careful questioning together, we identify what’s working, what you’re already doing that helps, and how to do more of it. This approach respects that problems are real, but you don’t need to fully understand why something’s wrong to start moving toward what you want. The work is collaborative, concrete, and built on small steps forward.

What is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy?

SFBT focuses on what you want to be different and how to get there. Rather than analyzing why problems exist, we work together to notice what’s already working, even in small ways, and build on it.

Through this collaborative approach, we:

Clarify what you want your life to look like when things improve
Explore exceptions—times when the problem is less present or you’re managing better
Identify what you’re doing differently in those moments
Take small, concrete steps toward more of what’s working

The work is practical and incremental. You bring the expertise about your life; I ask questions that help you notice possibilities and movement you might overlook.

How SFBT Works

During sessions, you’ll be encouraged to envision the future you want to create and explore how life would look once the problem is resolved. We use powerful techniques like:

The Miracle Question: magine your problem disappeared overnight—what would be different in your life tomorrow?
Scaling Questions: Rate your progress or feelings on a scale to track growth and make abstract goals more concrete.
Exploring Exceptions: Identifying times when you’ve successfully managed challenges, so we can amplify those strengths.

This forward-looking process is designed to be brief and effective, often requiring fewer sessions than traditional therapy approaches.

Who Can Benefit from SFBT?

SFBT is flexible and has been successfully used with individuals, couples, and families. It is especially helpful for:

Managing stress and anxiety
Enhancing relationships and communication
Building self-confidence and motivation
Overcoming workplace or academic challenges
Coping with transitions or life changes
Creating clarity when you feel “stuck”

Because the focus is on strengths and solutions, SFBT empowers you to move forward quickly and confidently.

Assessment, goal-setting, and your personalized plan.

The Result: Quick, Lasting Change

Solution-focused brief Therapy doesn’t ignore the challenges you face, it simply shifts the focus to what’s possible. By concentrating on solutions, you can take immediate, practical steps toward building the life you want.

The outcome is a renewed sense of confidence, clarity, and direction—helping you create meaningful change in less time.

Summary

Solution Focused Therapy; Practical Tools, Not Endless Talking

If you want practical tools rather than endless talking, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) focuses on where you want to go rather than endlessly analysing where you have been. Developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, SFBT is supported by research showing measurable improvement in as few as three to five sessions for many clients.

Sean Lewis brings a natural fit to solution focused therapy. Building a plumbing business from scratch required exactly this kind of thinking; identify the problem, find what works, and move toward a concrete result without overcomplicating the path. His military training reinforced a forward-focused, mission-oriented mindset.

Sean uses SFBT techniques including the miracle question, exception-finding, and scaling questions to help you recognize strengths you may be overlooking and build momentum quickly. He integrates SFBT with his primary ACT modality, drawing on whichever approach serves you best in a given session.

Sean offers solution focused therapy from his Westshore practice in Colwood, with virtual sessions across British Columbia. Sessions are covered by most extended health plans through the CCPA. Book a session.