Articles · Solution-Focused Therapy Institute

Solution-Focused Practice in Employee Assistance Programs: Working With Employees and Organizations

Solution-Focused Practice (SFP) offers Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) a practical, evidence-based approach to working with employees and organizations. The brief, goal-directed language of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) aligns naturally with EAP practice, where time is often limited, and the work focuses on what employees want to be different. SFP extends these principles beyond individual Read More >

Monika Turek2026-10-05T15:27:15+00:00October 5th, 2026|

Beyond Burnout: Cultivating Vicarious Resilience Through Solution-Focused Conversations

Helping professionals understand the emotional costs of their work. For decades, research has documented the psychological toll of working alongside people who have endured trauma, adversity, and profound loss (Figley, 1995; Pearlman & Saakvitne, 1995). Burnout, secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious traumatization now shape how the field understands the occupational risks faced Read More >

Monika Turek2026-08-13T19:16:12+00:00August 13th, 2026|

How Solution-Focused Conversations Build Engagement in Substance Use Conditions

Engagement is the precondition for therapeutic work; without it, strategies, plans, and techniques do not translate into action. In substance use work, engagement refers to meaningful participation in the therapeutic process. It shows up in more than just attendance—in how people respond, reflect, and interact in the conversation, and in the small steps they Read More >

Monika Turek2026-03-02T21:07:00+00:00February 26th, 2026|

The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy Partners with Illinois to Strengthen Campus Mental Health Workforce

The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy (ISFT) is proud to partner with the State of Illinois to advance the landmark Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act (110 ILCS 58/; Public Act 101-0251), signed by Governor JB Pritzker, which strengthens campus mental health and improves student well-being across Illinois colleges and universities. Through this partnership, Read More >

Monika Turek2025-10-28T20:53:34+00:00October 28th, 2025|

Solution-Focused Peer Support: Building Community on Campuses

Across the world, communities are facing a crisis of connection. Rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness are at historic highs, while access to professional mental health care remains limited (U.S. Surgeon General, 2023). On college campuses in particular, the gap between need and capacity continues to widen; students report unprecedented stress, disconnection, and difficulty Read More >

Monika Turek2025-10-24T15:39:49+00:00October 23rd, 2025|

Solution-Focused Violence Prevention

This article is part of our ongoing work to strengthen safer communities using a solution-focused approach. If you’re interested in applying these ideas in practice, see our new course: Solution-Focused Violence Prevention: Skills and Practice for Agencies Penny Griffith and Collaborative Solutions for Communities have been building something extraordinary in Washington, D.C. For Read More >

Anne Lutz2026-08-25T18:26:59+00:00August 22nd, 2025|

Hope as a Lifeline: One Verb at a Time

“There are questions which illuminate, and there are those that destroy. We should ask the first kind.” —Isidor Isaac Rabi, Nobel Laureate in Physics, 1944 In an age of relentless noise and accelerating uncertainty, this insight offers a steady call to intentional action. It acknowledges how difficult this time is for all of Read More >

Monika Turek2025-04-29T12:01:23+00:00April 25th, 2025|

Solution-Focused Mindset for Anxiety and Depression: Workbook

by Anne Lutz You can heal without reliving painful emotions or revisiting traumatic events—there is a different path forward. With this workbook, you'll develop a strengths-based mindset, discover effective strategies for managing anxiety and depression, and take meaningful steps to enhance your mental well-being. Get It Now >

Anne Lutz2025-05-06T14:34:31+00:00February 4th, 2025|

Transforming Loneliness into Connection

Solution-Focused VIP Mapping Solution-focused VIP Mapping provides a transformative approach to turning life’s challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. By identifying and engaging with your Very Important Presences (VIPs)—the people, experiences, and influences that shape your world—you can foster meaningful relationships, cultivate your strengths, and gain clarity, even in moments of loneliness. Read More >

Anne Lutz2025-03-07T19:37:08+00:00January 6th, 2025|

Solution-Focused VIP Mapping Exercise

A Transformative Exercise to Navigate Loneliness and Strengthen Connections This exercise helps you reflect on your life's very important presences (VIPs)—the individuals, influences, and conditions that shape your experiences. By exploring these presences, you’ll gain clarity about their impact, recognize your strengths, and take actionable steps to nurture connections, address challenges, and enhance Read More >

Anne Lutz2025-03-07T19:37:30+00:00January 6th, 2025|