From Crisis to Capacity: Solution-Focused Case Management in Higher Education

This introductory, interactive course introduces a Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) approach to case management tailored for professionals working in higher education. Designed for advisors, student affairs staff, counselors, faculty, and campus partners, the course addresses the increasing complexity of student concerns, including mental health challenges, financial strain, and unmet basic needs.

Participants will explore a trauma-informed, strengths-based model that integrates key SFBT strategies such as goal negotiation, scaling, and VIP (Very Important Presences) Mapping to foster motivation, autonomy, and next-step planning. Through live instruction, discussion, case vignettes, and video demonstrations, participants will develop realistic, collaborative strategies to support students in crisis and help them take meaningful steps toward stability and progress.

This course is designed to meet continuing education requirements for psychologists, counselors, and social workers. All course content is evidence-informed and grounded in established SFBT practice.

• Social workers, psychologists, and mental health counselors.
• College advisors, case managers, student services professionals, faculty, interdisciplinary teams
• All experience levels; introductory focus

By course end, participants will be able to:

1. Identify three key functions of case management in addressing student barriers such as mental health, financial hardship, and basic needs insecurity.

2. Describe and analyze at least two SFBT techniques (such as best hopes, scaling, goal negotiation, or VIP mapping) through case-based vignettes and video demonstrations.

3. Describe how to apply the Solution-Focused Four-Square Framework to guide brief, strengths-based support conversations with students, including opportunities to collaborate with relevant campus partners.

Hour 1: Introduce the growing role of case management in higher education and explore three common student challenges (mental health, financial stress, basic needs). Present core principles of the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) approach.

Hour 2: Demonstrate key SFBT techniques—such as best hopes, scaling, and VIP Mapping—using vignettes and video examples. Discuss how these tools can support immediate next steps for students and strengthen coordination with campus partners.

This course consists of the following components. The program must be completed in order, and your certificate of completion will only be given once all components are complete.

1. Live, in-person, interactive training.

2. Course Evaluation

3. Certificate of Completion

Participants will be assessed in the following manner:

• Class Participation: Participants are invited to clarify things they do not understand, pose questions, offer ideas, and broaden perspectives. Attend the entire live session (cameras on unless accommodation granted)
• Actively participate in activities and discussions
• Complete the post-session evaluation.
• Receive their Certificate of Completion upon meeting all requirements

After you have completed all of the sections, passed each of the section exams, and completed the course evaluation, you will receive your certificate of completion. You will be able to save and print the certificate.

2 CE Credit/Clock Hours are available for this live course.

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

The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy offers continuing education credit for this live, interactive 2-hour course. Participants must attend the full session with their cameras on, actively engage in course activities, and complete a post-course evaluation to receive a certificate of completion.

Psychologists

The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy, LLC, is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy, LLC, maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Psychologists completing this course receive 2 continuing education hours.

The Institute is also recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0127).

Social Workers

The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy, provider number 1831, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/22/2023 – 9/22/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical continuing education credits.

The Institute is also approved by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work (#SW-0656), and by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.

Counselors

The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy, LLC has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7049. The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy, LLC, is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. Counselors completing this course receive 2 clock hours.

The Institute is also approved by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0233), and by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

Participants should check with their professional licensing boards to ensure that a specific course will be accepted for their continuing education requirements.

To receive continuing education hours, the participant must attend the entire online presentation with their camera on, engage in all activities, and complete the course evaluation.

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

Our complete list of policies can be viewed here.