Get Unstuck: Solution-Focused Training for Mental Health Professionals

Practical, energizing, and proven tools to move clients (and yourself) forward—fast.

Finally, a therapy model that works with you—not against you.

Who This Is For?

If you’re a therapist, counselor, coach, or clinical supervisor who’s ever said…

• “My client is stuck in problem talk.”
• “I’m feeling drained or burned out.”
• “I don’t have time to waste on philosophical theory.”
• “I need something that actually works—now.”
• “My interns need structure and confidence.”

…this training is designed for you.

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Why Solution-Focused Therapy?

It works. And it works fast.
Built for brief therapy contexts, Solution-Focused Therapy focuses on:

• Who the client is, what they value, and matching their world (not pathology)
• Future vision (not trauma or diagnosis)
• Small steps (not grand insights)
• What works (not why it broke)

And that’s why it fits perfectly into today’s mental health climate.

Do these sound familiar?

Problem	SF Training Delivers
“My sessions are stuck in clients venting about problems.”	Learn a way of working with clients that honors their past and emotions yet starts the change process immediately.
“I feel emotionally drained after sessions.”	Use a hopeful, energizing model that results in immediate results; leaving both client and clinician hopeful.
“I have to get results fast.”	SF therapy focuses on what is needed in this conversation for change to begin.
“I need to train new staff/interns.”	The Solution-Focused model provides tools and ways of thinking that can be implemented immediately.
“I want to work more positively.”	This training shows you how to build hope, not just insight.

These differences make SFBT a powerful alternative, as shown in our solution-focused brief therapy examples and SFBT case studies from diverse client scenarios.

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What You’ll Learn

4 Goal-Formulation Questions

Learn the four key questions to help clients formulate clear, actionable goals that drive progress in sessions.

The Art of Scaling Questions

Master scaling techniques to quantify client progress and identify small steps toward improvement.

Noticing Exceptions & Exploring Progress

Discover how to spot exceptions to problems and explore what's already working to amplify positive change.

Session Structure Models (First and Subsequent Sessions)

Understand structured models for initial and follow-up sessions to keep therapy focused and efficient.

Language Shifts That Change Outcomes

Explore subtle language adjustments that shift client perspectives and lead to better therapeutic outcomes.

Using SF with Individuals, Families, Groups

Apply Solution-Focused techniques across different client types, including individuals, families, and groups. These tools are adaptable for various settings. View SFBT courses for school counselors and educators.

Ready to get unstuck? Explore Solution-Focused training for therapists and counselors.

Includes role-play demos, supervision tips, and handouts. These tools are illustrated through solution-focused brief therapy examples drawn from real sessions, as explored in our SFBT case studies below.

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Real-World Case Studies in SFBT

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) excels in real-world settings by matching who the client is and building upon what works for that unique human being. Below are anonymized SFBT case studies and solution-focused brief therapy examples from actual applications, illustrating the practical tools covered in our training with Teri Pichot.

Case 1: Addressing Anxiety Through Scaling Questions

A substitute teacher struggling with work-related anxiety was asked to explore how she would hope to feel when the anxiety was resolved. Her word was “calm.” Increasing the client’s sense of calm then became the focus of the work. The therapist then asked her to focus on the times in which she was feeling calm, to rate her level of calm on a 1-10 scale, and explore what let her know she was at that number and not lower. This helped the client to focus on what she wanted to increase and to identify what she was doing to make this happen. By session two, her number went from 3 to 8 on the 10-point scale for calmness in the workplace.

Case 2: Improving Family Dynamics with Goal Formation

In a family session involving teenage conflict, the therapist asked the Fast Forward question (one of the four Goal Formation questions) to invite the family to determine what success would look like. They envisioned less arguing, more cooperation and trust. Subtle language shifts – from blame to curiosity – fostered collaboration. Within a month, arguments decreased, showing SFBT’s versatility for groups and families.

Case 3: Combating Burnout Among Clinicians

A therapist facing burnout used a scaling tool to explore where she was compared to her “professional best.” Explored what she knew about herself that worked, times that she was able to set effective boundaries, as well as tools that help her to cope with external stressors. By thinking about her “Retirement Party” and envisioning her future-self happy with her career, she was able to make the necessary changes. This case underscores SFBT’s energizing effect, even for professionals.

These cases, inspired by Teri Pichot’s 30+ years of global SFBT practice, highlight how our training delivers immediate, research-supported outcomes (e.g., 40% fewer sessions per Journal of Systemic Therapies studies). Join us to master these techniques for your clients!

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Testimonials

"Very worthwhile training. Received excellent tips I will use daily. Practicing skills within our cohort so beneficial!"

"Teri is an excellent presenter, clear, helpful, respectful, and models the SFBT model throughout."

"Really appreciate that Teri sticks to the time frame. This information was so helpful and practical and feel like I walked away with really useful help."

"Teri was awesome! She was kind, respectful, skillful, and so knowledgeable! She answered all of our questions clearly and thoroughly. I appreciated her application of metaphors/analogies (i.e. physics) to help us understand the concepts."

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FAQs

Question	Answer
Is this suitable for beginners or advanced clinicians?	These training events are suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced clinicians and other professionals. Unlike pre-recorded, online self-paced courses, our live sessions feature small class sizes, allowing instructors to tailor the material to match each participant’s level of experience in real time.
Will I get CE credits?	Yes. NBCC CE credits are available upon request; otherwise, a general certificate of completion will be provided. Our courses can also be combined or repeated as part of a Solution-Focused certification training series or ongoing support series
How does this compare to CBT/DBT training?	CBT/DBT are problem focused approaches. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is an evidenced-based approach and is distinct from all other therapeutic models. Thus, Solution-Focused training teaches the use of very different tools and ways of thinking to achieve results. The differences between SFBT and CBT (as well as Motivational Interviewing) will be explained in detail during many of our courses.
Is this just theory or will I get tools?	Teri Pichot is a therapist by trade. Her focus in teaching is on the "hows" and "whys" behind this model. Using client case examples and impromptu demonstrations, she teaches participants exactly what tools she would use in various situations, followed by a clear explanation of why it works.
What if I don’t work in brief therapy?	Solution-Focused Brief Practice can best be understood as a language and way of interacting with people. The focus is on how to connect with people and think about each unique human in a way that invites them to think for themselves; thereby making the best choices for themselves. This concept is helpful when used by a therapist, but is also extremely helpful in a plethora of other professions.

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Ready to Make Therapy Feel Lighter and More Effective?

Start moving your clients—and yourself—forward.
Browse through the list of professionals below and click to view courses for your profession.

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