Foundations of Solution-Focused Practice Online Intensive

This is our most complete and comprehensive self-paced online program.  This course investigates the foundational knowledge, training, and practice in the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy approach. Included in the course’s price is an electronic textbook: Learning Solution-Focused Therapy: An Illustrated Guide, written by Anne Bodmer Lutz, MD. The text itself has links to 30 clinical demonstration video vignettes. The course includes a ten-part video lecture series, numerous video demonstrations, case studies, clinical practice exercises, section exams, and many additional resources.  This course reviews the history of the evolution of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, the philosophical underpinnings and major tenets of the approach, the core therapeutic elements of this approach, and the applications of the approach to different settings, populations, and presenting problems, and reviews current empirical evidence supporting it.

Last Updated: November 2023

Target Audience: Social workers, psychologists, mental health counselors, educators, and medical professionals: appropriate for all levels of knowledge.

1. Differentiate the key components of solution-focused and problem-focused conversations, identifying how their approaches, assumptions, and outcomes differ.
2. Identify and recall the core solution-focused assumptions.
3. Recognize and recall the core solution-focused questions used in clinical practice.
4. Select appropriate solution-focused language strategies, including the use of active verbs, positive vocabulary, and appreciative and hopeful narratives.
5. Identify the correct use of direct compliments, indirect compliments, coping questions, and amplification of positive differences in solution-focused questioning.
6. Recognize how solution-focused questioning enhances engagement in conversations with individuals, families, and teams.
7. Apply solution-focused amygdala whispering and yes-set techniques to counterbalance intense emotions.
8. Identify solution-focused VIP mapping categories and how they cultivate meaningful connections and relationships.
9. Recognize solution-focused goal negotiation techniques, including the best hope question, imagining a satisfying week, and the miracle question.
10. Compare how solution-focused scaling questions that activate agency differ from problem-focused ones that assess acuity.
11. Identify the appropriate use of solution-focused scaling questions to enhance agency and plan development.
12. Identify how the solution-focused safety assessment differs from problem-focused risk assessment.
13. Choose appropriate solution-focused follow-up questions to continue activating agency and planning in ongoing conversations.
14. Differentiate between solution-focused and problem-focused assessment questions related to mood, relationships, emotional regulation, anxiety, trauma, attentional challenges, substance use, and family history.
15. Identify the key components of a solution-focused safety assessment plan and how it differs from traditional risk assessment plans.
16. Recognize solution-focused questions that can be applied in consultations and team meetings.
17. Identify how solution-focused therapy can be applied in the treatment of substance use disorders.
18. Evaluate the most recent solution-focused research and its applications in practice.
19. Identify solution-focused interventions applicable to anxiety, ADHD, substance use, and medication treatment.

There will be 10 section exams, consisting of 15-item multiple-choice which is designed to assess your understanding and ability to apply the course material. You may take the exam multiple times until you pass the exam.

19.5 CE Credit/Clock Hours are available for this course.

Please see our Continuing Education Information page for information about CE credits and clock hours, and our accreditations and approvals for psychologists, social workers, counselors, and marriage & family therapists.

Students should check with their professional licensing boards to make sure that a specific course will be accepted toward their continuing education requirements.

To receive continuing education hours, the student must:

• Enroll in the course
• Read the learning content
• Watch the entire online lecture
• Complete the course exam, and receive a passing grade of 80%
• Complete the course evaluation

Upon successful completion of the course, the student may download and print his or her Certificate of Completion.

Once enrolled, you may begin your course at any time.

Our complete list of policies can be viewed here.