Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Core Skills
Solution-focused brief Therapy (SFBT) is a short-term, goal-focused, evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps clients change by constructing solutions rather than dwelling on problems. In the most basic sense, SFBT is a hope-friendly, positive emotion-eliciting, future-oriented vehicle for formulating, motivating, achieving, and sustaining desired behavioral change. Because SFBT is based on resiliency and clients’ own previous solutions and exceptions to their own problems, it can be applied to virtually any problem, including family and couples, domestic violence, trauma, sexual abuse, substance abuse, and childhood and adolescent disorders. The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy has prepared an introductory course that reviews the state of the art in SFBT in clinical practice, the origin and development of SFBT, SFBT evidence and research, SFBT major tenets, and key components of SFBT in clinical practice.
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. Appropriate for beginner levels of knowledge.
Content Level: Beginner
Prerequisites: No prior training in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is required.
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 historical milestones in the development of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).
- Differentiate SFBT from traditional mental health treatment models by analyzing key distinctions in approach and philosophy.
- Apply core tenets of SFBT by selecting appropriate responses in therapist-client interactions.
- Recognize the overall clinical process of SFBT, including therapist roles, solution development, and assessment differences.
- Select appropriate SFBT interventions based on case examples, applying techniques in a structured format.
- Evaluate the evidence base for SFBT by selecting research-supported conclusions about its effectiveness.
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 completed.
- Course Introduction
- Written Course Materials (PDF)
- Recorded Video Lecture and Clinical Demonstrations
- Exam Instructions and Exam Preview
- Complete the Course Examination and achieve a passing score of 80% or higher
- Course Evaluation
- Certificate of Completion
Course Outline and Estimated Completion Time
Course introduction — 10 minutes
Read Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: An Introduction to Clinical Practice (PDF) — 2 hours
Recorded video lecture and clinical demonstrations — 2 hours 15 minutes
Course examination (40 multiple-choice questions) — 25 minutes
Course evaluation — 10 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 40-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, occupational therapists, and marriage & family therapists.
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.
Occupational Therapists
The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy, LLC, is an AOTA-approved provider of professional development. Course approval ID #0000012464. This distance learning–independent course is offered at 0.5 AOTA CEUs (5 contact hours). This introductory-level activity is designed to enhance foundational knowledge and occupational therapy service delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
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:
Instructor and Consultants