Be it a potential job change, the onset of a new relationship, or a relocation, some of us’ brains are kind of wired to switch on the stress button. This fight or flight mode is likely to take place every time a challenge arises in life. Even when there is no real ‘challenge,’ but a change of mind can make you stay in the spiral of worry. In this situation, it’s natural to feel stuck.
How Solution-Focused Therapy Can Help You Overcome Life’s Challenges Faster
Mental health therapists help you navigate through tough times while maintaining a certain level of inner peace and sense of contentment. This level of comfort with life does not come overnight and takes effort and insight. Therapy done with a consistent and involved approach brings desirable results.
While most therapies never undermine the importance of experiences and the impact of the past, Solution-focused therapy does not dwell upon past events as much. SFT is not much recommended for Chronic issues or deep-rooted patterns, addiction, or PTSD; however, it helps a ton with ongoing or potential challenges of life. Instead of panic, there can be progress.
What is Solution-Focused Therapy?
It’s more of a brief therapy. It is a future-oriented, goal-directed therapy method. This approach shifts the spotlight toward solutions. It’s about identifying what works, setting realistic goals, and helping you regain a sense of control faster.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), often simply called Solution-focused Therapy (SFT) stands on three strong pillars: Your strengths and resources, your desired future, and small, practical steps that you can take.
How Does Solution-Focused Therapy Work?
The therapy focuses on the strengths and goals of the patient. During the entire process, and especially while drawing the therapy plan, the therapist will collaboratively structure the path with you. This will give you clarity and confidence.
1. The Miracle Question
The question therapists often ask during SFBT is, “Suppose tonight, while you sleep, a miracle happens and the problem you’re facing is completely resolved. When you wake up, what would be the first small sign that tells you things have changed?”
This helps you imagine your life, plans, and goals as if no obstacles stood in your way. It allows your mind to approach the present moment with a more positive attitude.
2. Scaling Questions
Here, the therapist asks the patient to rate their current life situation on a scale of 1 to 10, indicating how good or bad it is. The method enables the client/patient to pursue his/her current scenario from a bit objective viewpoint.
Often, we cannot see our own situation from a third-person viewpoint, which is natural, as our emotions and opinions are directly attached to it. Being able to see a circumstance from someone else’s perspective makes you feel less hurt about it.
3. Exception Seeking
The moments when the patient’s issues or problems were negligible or absent are called exceptions. The patients are asked to ponder upon those ‘exception moments.’
From here, the therapist helps you recognize times when you managed to handle the situation better or experienced relief, even if temporary. This approach highlights your existing strengths, resources, and coping mechanisms.
Instead of starting from scratch, the therapist and you collaboratively build on what has already worked well. This not only fosters hope but also empowers you to apply these successful strategies more intentionally in your daily life, promoting progress toward your goals.
4. Small Steps Approach
You achieve any change or accomplishment through multiple layers of baby steps. Gradual progress ushers you to stronger wins and lasting transformations. You step by step develop healthy habits, start working towards addressing the issues, and ultimately reach your goal.
Encourages Hope
By focusing on what’s possible rather than what’s broken, SFBT naturally creates optimism and motivation.
Seeking therapy and reaching out to professionals is rather a strength, especially if you are overcoming a mental or emotional challenge. One doesn’t have to be diagnosed with a disorder to avail therapy. At the Centre of Healing Minds, you will find skilled mental health therapists all set to help you out throughout your journey.
With Solution-Focused therapy for anxiety in Ontario, you can healthy your lifestyle, address any problematic patterns in your social, professional, or personal life while maintaining your sense of calm.
Closing thought
The major benefit of the SFBT therapy method is that it works for anyone seeking to overcome life challenges, including health issues, family conflicts, and career navigation.
