Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), also called solution focused therapy, is a therapeutic approach that focuses on solutions, rather than on problems. Based on social constructionist philosophies, SFBT looks at the goals clients want to achieve instead of on past difficulties. SFBT encourages clients to identify what works for them and to do more of it, building on their personal skills and strengths. As the name implies, SFBT generally only lasts a short amount of time, around 3-5 sessions.

Local experts in Solution Focused Brief Therapy

Kate McNulty

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

My orientation is pragmatic and my interest in therapy is helping you get access to the tools and information you need. Typically people come in for a series of sessions and then return whenever they feel the need for a check-in or when they hit another bump in the road. We are always collaborating when it comes to deciding how long it makes sense for us to work together.

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Jennifer Gray (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed Professional Counselor

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented therapeutic approach that emphasizes solutions rather than problems. It focuses on present and future goals, rather than past issues. SFBT promotes resilience and empowerment, helping clients discover their strengths and resources to create positive change in their lives.

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Camille Keith (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MS, LPC, NCC

I use a solutions-focused approach to help you identify your strengths and work toward your goals. I provide time each session to reflect on what was most helpful, and clarify what you want to work on between sessions.

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Chris Lehman

Licensed Professional Counselor

MA, MS, LPC

I both trained and practiced Brief Therapy at Portland State Universities Graduate School of Counseling. Brief therapy is sometimes the most effective tool for change in the therapy setting. I often use brief therapy within the larger counseling relationship to help clients see identified problems as opportunities.

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Sam Wilson

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW, LCSW-C

Solution focused therapy is one of the fundamental techniques underlying the social work worldview. Therapy is often at it's most effective and efficient when it is built around goal-setting, identifying your strengths, and breaking down a problem into manageable steps. Once you start checking items off your list, you will realize that you have the strength to overcome the seemingly overwhelming.

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April Dvorak

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

APRN, PMHNP-BC

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Anchor Within Counseling

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Behavioral Health Office

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Christa Cummins (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MA, LPC

I help clients see how their strengths can be applied to make changes in their lives. We'll explore not only what has worked well in the past, but what may have worked well at one time but is no longer serving you, and work toward change.

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Nicole Phelps (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

Sometimes there is a specific situation or goal that you are needing support with. Solution focused therapy hones in on your strengths, skills and resources you have used in the past to resolve challenges. This is a collaborative process between you and your therapist, focusing on and supporting what is working.

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Joyce Korschgen (Ms)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

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DeShawn Williams

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

For individuals or families needing to talk about the challenges they are faced with which can be more crisis oriented or time limited will benefit from a more solution focused or problem-solving approach. I work to focus on the challenges at hand rather the past. In addition I work to assist with getting families to their desired goals in their desired time frame.

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Richard Marshall

Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

M.A., LMFT

I enjoy using Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) because it uses the client's own goals as a motivation for change. Therapy is therefore custom tailored to the individual client, harnessing the transformative power of the client's own strengths and interests, and builds upon ways the client may already be solving their own problem.

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Bonnie Lambert (she/her)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

PMHNP-BC, LPC

Targeted problem solving based intervention

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Youth Contact

Professional Counselor

Solution Focused Brief Therapy is utilized within families in crisis and children with behavioral issues. One of the great strengths of this approach is that it is present-focused, problem-oriented, and goal-directed.

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Anna Gavrishova (she/her)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

PMNP-BC

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Katie Clark, LMHC, LPC (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

NCC

If you are struggling with a specific issue, SFBT is effective in finding an effective way to address it.

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Laura La Rosa (She/Her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

MA, MSW, LCSW

There is no better time than now to focus on a solution to your problem so that you can feel better sooner than later. I whole heartedly believe that you already have the innate capacity to solve your problems right now. Our work together will uncover what you already know so that you can move in the direction you want to go in your life. Lets get started it won’t take long.

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Rebecca Youssef (she/her)

Clinical Psychologist

PsyD

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Joan Laguzza, LCSW Joie PDX Counseling

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

This style of therapy is designed to provide a quick resolution to a specific problem. It can identify existing strengths and help determine how to use them to resolve issues and attain goals. I am a creative problem solver and enjoy helping others realize their potential to create solutions to establish balance and wellbeing in their lives.

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Erika Nelson (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW

I have years of experience in working with intensive situations to create efficient stabilization. I am used to working with urgency and tight timelines to achieve results that are outcome focused.

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Audrianna J. Gurr (she/her)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC License and CADCI certificate, CDWF certificate

Our work can be centered on identifying and working towards resolution on a current or persistent issue that is interfering with your current life healthy balance. Sometimes this may lead to deeper unpacking of issues but, initially it is about problem solving and stability.

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Kelly Washam (she/her)

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

MA, MAC, LMFTA

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Megan Sapp (she/her)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

PMHNP, CNM, FNP

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Ben Gulick (he/they)

Licensed Professional Counselor

MA

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Danielle Solari (she/her)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

LCSW, PMH-C

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