About The Institute

The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy is committed to providing outstanding training in the growing field of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Over the years we have offered training to thousands of therapists, educators, and business people all over the world, and have provided counseling and therapy for a wide array of presenting problems.

We also have been involved in state of the art research, and our staff are known internationally as leaders in the field.

Meet The Institute Associates

What is Solution-Focused Therapy?

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), also called simply Solution-Focused Therapy, is an evidenced-based psychotherapy approach that was developed by Steve de Shazer (1940-2005), and Insoo Kim Berg (1934-2007) and their colleagues beginning in the late 1970’s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

As the name suggests, SFBT is future-focused, goal-directed, and focuses on solutions, rather than on the problems that brought clients to seek therapy.

What Does the Research Say About Solution-Focused Brief Therapy?

The conclusion of the two meta-analyses and the systematic reviews, and the over-all conclusion of the most recent scholarly work on SFBT, is that Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is an effective approach to the treatment of psychological problems, with effect sizes similar to other evidenced-based approaches, such as CBT and IPT, but that these effects are found in fewer average sessions, and using an approach style that is more benign (Gingerich et al, 2012; Trepper & Franklin, 2012).

In-person Solution-Focused Training

We are excited to join with Doctor Franklin Perkins School who is hosting our Institute’s sponsored In-Person Solution-Focused training. Our 2020 in-person training calendar includes:

Engaging College Students Coping with Mental Health Challenges in Brief Interventions: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in the University Setting. ~ May 1, 2020

A Language of Hope: Fundamentals of Solution-Focused Practice. ~ June 25 -26, 2020

Anxiety and School Avoidance in Youth: Solution-Focused Practices that produce results. ~ September 19, 2020

Registration Details coming soon!

Customized Agency Training and Consultation

solution focused therapy agency training

We offer customized training and consultation to agencies. We work hard to meet your individualized needs and goals. We would love to talk with you and discuss your best hopes so you can be confident that our training will make a positive difference for your unique work environment. We have provided training to many agencies applying solution-focused practices to diverse settings such as in the medical field, schools, community mental health clinics, college advising, and many others. We continually are inspired by the amazing work people are doing and hope through our collaboration with your agency, the skills you learn, and practice will be immediately applied in your unique setting ultimately resulting in improved client outcomes.

On-line Solution-Focused Training

We are putting the finishing touches on our on-line training courses. Please sign-up for our newsletter to be notified when the courses are ready for registration.

Solution-Focused Inspirations Newsletter

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THE “SOLUTION-FOCUSED INSPIRATIONS” NEWSLETTER IS DEDICATED TO THE LATE INSOO KIM BERG AND STEVE DE SHAZER. OUR “BEST HOPE” FOR THE NEWSLETTER IS TO CONTINUE TO LEARN AND INSPIRE ONE ANOTHER IN THE PRACTICE OF SOLUTION-FOCUSED THERAPY.

Latest Newsletter

Solution-Focused Article List Evidence 2019 updated

Brockman, Mariah, et al. “Managing Child Behavior Problems in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Utilizing Structural and Solution Focused Therapy With Primary Caregivers.” The American Journal of Family Therapy, [Read More]

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View over 30 sample session videos in Anne’s book, Learning Solution-Focused Therapy along with books by Institute associates

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