Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) differs significantly from traditional anxiety therapies in its approach to understanding and addressing anxiet. The key distinctions can be summarised as follows:
- Focus: Traditional anxiety therapies are often past- and problem-focused, aiming to identify the causes and mechanisms of anxiety. They typically employ a problem-solving paradigm to reduce distress. In contrast, SFBT is primarily future- and solution-focused, concentrating on what the client wants to achieve instead of the problem of anxiety. The emphasis is on creating preferred futures and the pathways to get there.
- Model of the Client: Traditional approaches often utilise a deficit model, viewing the individual experiencing anxiety as a ‘patient’ who is somehow damaged or malfunctioning. They ask, “How is the patient affected by anxiety?”. SFBT, on the other hand, adopts a resource model, seeing the individual as a ‘client’ who is influenced but not damaged, possessing strengths and resources to construct solutions. The question asked is, “How did the client respond to anxiety?”. SFBT respectfully assumes that clients have the inner resources to construct highly individualised and effective solutions.
- Goal of Therapy: In traditional therapies, the goal is often reducing problems and negative affect, sometimes with the aim of recovery from anxiety (an avoidance goal). SFBT, however, individualises goals for each client, with the aim being what clients want to have instead of anxiety (an approach goal). While increasing positive affect may be a result, the focus is on achieving the client’s preferred future.
- Therapist’s Role and Expertise: Traditional therapists are often seen as the expert with special knowledge about anxiety, to whom the patient submits and who gives advice. SFBT positions the client as the expert with regard to their own life, while the therapist asks questions to elicit the client’s expertise. The therapist adopts a not-knowing role, leading from one step behind the client.
- Emphasis on Negative vs. Positive: Traditional therapies often focus on negative emotions and exploring what the patient doesn’t want (the problem). SFBT, while acknowledging negative emotions, prioritises a focus on positive emotions and conversations about what the client wants to have instead of the problem. SFBT aims to increase positive affect to help clients make their lives better.
- Language and Questions: Traditional therapies may involve extensive exploration and analysis of the problem. SFBT places great importance on the precise use of language as a tool. SF therapists don’t seek many details about the presented problems, thus not reinforcing problem-talk, and instead focus on solutions-talk by asking questions about goals, exceptions, possibilities, competencies, and resources. SFBT uses solution-focused (SF) questions to invite clients to think differently and notice positive differences.
- Exceptions and Strengths: Traditional therapies may focus on past failings and problems. SFBT minimises emphasis on past failings and problems and instead focuses on clients’ strengths, previous successes, and exceptions (times when the problem could have happened but didn’t). Finding exceptions is a key technique in SFBT.
- Motivation: Patients in traditional therapies may sometimes be seen as not motivated or resistant. SFBT views clients as always motivated, although their goal may differ from that of the therapist.
- Insight and Understanding: In traditional approaches, insight or understanding is sometimes seen as a precondition for change. SFBT suggests that insight or understanding often comes during or after treatment, with the initial focus being on accountability and action.
- Duration of Treatment: Traditional psychotherapy may often involve long-term treatment. SFBT aims for variable and individualised length of treatment, ending when clients achieve their goal to a sufficient degree. It is described as brief therapy.
In essence, SFBT represents a paradigm shift from a problem-solving to a solutions-building approach in the treatment of anxiety. It prioritises identifying and amplifying what is working in a client’s life and helping them move towards their preferred future, rather than in-depth analysis of the origins and nature of their anxiety.