Solution-Focused Practice in Grief and Loss
This self-paced continuing education course provides a practical, evidence-based framework for supporting individuals experiencing grief and loss using the principles and practices of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). Designed for transdisciplinary professionals, the course offers practical strategies for working with individuals grieving the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, the loss of a beloved companion animal, and other meaningful life losses.
Grounded in the evidence-based principles of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), a person-centered, strengths-based, and goal-oriented approach, the course demonstrates how compassionate, collaborative conversations can help individuals navigate intense emotions, identify strengths and resources, develop meaningful coping strategies, and take practical, manageable steps toward the future while honoring their loss.
The course combines a lecture, written case examples, and video demonstrations of solution-focused conversations to illustrate practical solution-focused techniques for supporting individuals experiencing grief and loss. Participants develop a structured framework for integrating solution-focused principles into everyday professional practice, building the confidence and practical skills to support individuals experiencing grief and loss across transdisciplinary practice settings.
Delivery Method
This is an asynchronous, noninteractive, self-paced online course consisting of required written course materials, recorded video lectures and clinical demonstrations, a course exam, and a course evaluation.
Last Updated: July 2026
Target Audience: Social workers, psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, educators, physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, and other health, behavioral health, and human service professionals.
Content Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: No prior training in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is required.
Highlights of this course include:
- A comprehensive written section describing solution-focused interventions for supporting individuals experiencing grief and loss
- Extensive written transcripts illustrating solution-focused conversations and practical techniques
- An online video lecture
- A video demonstration of a solution-focused conversation
- Additional course resources to support learning and professional practice
Registration deadline: There is no registration deadline. Enrollment is available on a rolling basis, and participants may begin the course immediately after registration.
System requirements: Participants need a reliable internet connection, a current web browser, speakers or headphones, the ability to stream video, and a device capable of opening PDF documents. The course may be accessed on a computer, tablet, or compatible mobile device.
Participant support and instructor communication: Participants may contact info@solutionfocused.net with questions regarding course content, registration, technical support, or certificates of completion. Questions are reviewed by the instructor or knowledgeable course staff, and responses are typically provided within 24 hours.
Registration: Register and pay online by selecting “Purchase Course” above. Access instructions are emailed immediately after successful registration.
Financial Disclosure and Commercial Support
The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy and all instructional personnel involved in this continuing education program have no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose. This continuing education activity is presented solely for educational purposes and has received no commercial support. No product endorsements are expressed or implied.
Learning Objectives
- Identify key tenets of the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) approach and determine their application in grief-related case scenarios.
- Recognize and define a Solution-Focused Scaling Question and determine how it applies to grief-related conversations in structured multiple-choice assessments.
- Identify and define a Solution-Focused Exception and evaluate its role in grief-related therapy using structured case applications.
- Differentiate between Direct and Indirect Solution-Focused Compliments, identifying their appropriate use in grief support through multiple-choice and case-based exercises.
- Define the Solution-Focused “Best Hope” question and recognize its function in grief therapy, using structured case applications to determine appropriate application.
- Define the Solution-Focused Safety Net Question and describe its role in grief support by selecting correct applications in case-based assessments.
- Recognize solution-focused skills that enhance engagement and strengthen the therapeutic alliance with clients experiencing grief, based on video observations and case-based assessments.
- Identify how resource activation can be facilitated for clients experiencing grief, selecting appropriate strategies in structured multiple-choice exercises.
- Differentiate between solution development and problem-solving in grief therapy, recognizing key distinctions through structured reading assessments and case-based multiple-choice exercises.
- Identify how to discover and amplify positive differences/exceptions in clients experiencing grief using solution-focused questions, assessed through structured video and case-based multiple-choice assessments.
Course Components
This course consists of the following components. The program must be completed in order, and your Certificate of Completion will be issued only after all required components have been successfully completed.
- Course Introduction
- Required Written Course Materials
- Recorded Video Lecture and Clinical Demonstration
- Course Examination
- Course Evaluation
- Certificate of Completion
Course Outline and Estimated Completion Time
Course Introduction — 15 minutes
Required Written Course Materials — 2 hours
Recorded Video Lecture and Clinical Demonstration — 2 hours
Course Examination (30 multiple-choice questions) — 30 minutes
Course Evaluation — 15 minutes
Total instructional and assessment time — 5 hours
Because this course is self-paced, participants may take breaks as needed. Break time is not included in the 5 CE credit hours.
Course Assessment
There will be a 30-item multiple-choice examination designed to assess your understanding and ability to apply the course material. A minimum score of 80% is required to pass. Participants may retake the examination as needed until a passing score is achieved.
Certificate of Completion
Participants who complete all required course content, achieve a passing score of 80% or higher on the course examination, and complete the course evaluation may immediately download, save, and print their Certificate of Completion.
Continuing Education
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.
Participants are encouraged to check with their professional licensing boards to ensure that a specific course will be accepted toward their continuing education requirements.
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 5 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 5 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 5 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.
No conflicts of interest or commercial support are present for the CE program, instructor, or presentation.
Policy Information
Once enrolled, you may begin your course at any time.
Cancellation Policy
Because this is an asynchronous, self-paced online course, participants may begin the course immediately upon successful registration and payment.
Participants may discontinue the course at any time. Refund requests are subject to the Institute’s Refund Policy. The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy reserves the right to cancel, discontinue, postpone, or modify a course due to unforeseen circumstances. If this occurs, participants will be notified promptly and may be offered continued access, an equivalent course, an extension of access, or an appropriate refund or credit, as determined by the circumstances.
For complete information regarding enrollment and cancellation, please review our Policies, Terms, and Statements, including:
Instructors and Authors