Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Texas
Less time on what went wrong. More time on what comes next.
Solution-focused brief therapy helps you build on what is already working in your life. Instead of digging through the past, you and a licensed Dua Health therapist get clear on the future you want and take small, practical steps toward it. Sessions are available online across Texas and in person in Austin.
Most insured members pay a $25 copay
Solution-focused therapy at Dua Health is covered by most major insurance plans, including Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Oscar. There is no waitlist.
What is solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)?
Solution-focused brief therapy is a short-term, goal-oriented form of talk therapy. It was developed in the 1980s by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, who noticed that clients often made faster progress when therapy focused on solutions rather than problems.
SFBT starts from a simple idea: you already have strengths, skills and past successes you can draw on. Your therapist helps you notice them, define what a better life looks like for you, and build on the moments when things are already going a little better.
Because it is brief by design, solution-focused therapy is a good fit if you want practical progress without committing to years of sessions.
How solution-focused therapy works
Each session is a focused conversation about where you want to go and what will help you get there. Your SFBT therapist may use techniques like these:
The miracle question
Your therapist asks you to imagine that, overnight, the problem you came in with is gone. What would you notice first? What would you be doing differently? Your answers become a clear picture of your goals.
Scaling questions
You rate where you are today on a scale of 0 to 10. Then you explore what has kept you from slipping lower and what one small step would move you up a point.
Exception finding
Together, you look for times when the problem was smaller or absent. Understanding what was different in those moments shows you what already works.
Small, doable next steps
Each session ends with a realistic action you can try before your next visit, so progress happens between sessions too.
What to expect
Many people notice meaningful change within a handful of sessions. Your therapist will check in regularly so you decide together how long to continue.
What can solution-focused brief therapy help with?
Solution-focused therapy works well for people who want to move forward on a specific challenge. Our therapists use SFBT to support people with:
If you are dealing with something more complex, such as trauma, your therapist may combine SFBT with other approaches like trauma-informed therapy or ACT.
BFT may be a good fit if you:
Is solution-focused therapy right for you?
Want practical tools, not just a space to talk
Have a clear goal or a problem you want to solve
Prefer short-term therapy with visible progress
Respond well to encouragement and a strengths-based approach
Is solution-focused therapy right for you?
| Approach | Main focus | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Solution-focused brief therapy | Your goals, strengths and next steps | Short term |
| Motivational interviewing | Your own reasons and readiness to change | Short term |
| Acceptance and commitment therapy | Making room for hard feelings and acting on your values | Short to medium term |
| Narrative therapy | Separating you from the problem and reshaping your story | Medium term |
Not sure which approach suits you? Our care team will help match you with a therapist whose style fits your needs.
How to start solution-focused therapy at Dua Health
Tell us about yourself
Spend about 15 minutes sharing your history and what you would like help with.
Talk with a care expert
A quick 15-minute call helps us understand your goals.
Get matched with an SFBT therapist
Review your recommended therapists and book your first session within 24 hours.
Start making progress
Meet online from anywhere in Texas or in person at our Austin office.
Solution-focused brief therapy FAQs
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Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a short-term talk therapy that focuses on your goals and strengths instead of your problems. You and your therapist build on what is already working and plan small steps toward the life you want.
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SFBT is designed to be brief. Many people see progress within a few sessions, though the number you need depends on your goals. You and your therapist will review your progress together and decide when you are ready to finish.
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The miracle question asks you to imagine waking up tomorrow with your problem solved. Describing what would be different helps you and your therapist define clear, realistic goals.
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Solution-focused brief therapy is an evidence-based approach that has been studied for issues including depression, anxiety and relationship concerns. Your therapist will tailor it to your needs and may combine it with other methods.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and works to change them. SFBT spends less time analyzing problems and more time on your goals, strengths and the moments when things are already going better.
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Yes. Dua Health offers online solution-focused therapy anywhere in Texas, as well as in-person sessions in Austin.
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Most major insurance plans cover SFBT at Dua Health, and most insured members pay a $25 copay. We accept Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Oscar and more.
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Book a free 15-minute consult. Our care team will match you with a licensed therapist trained in solution-focused therapy, usually within 24 hours.
Your next chapter starts with one small step
Work with a licensed solution-focused therapist online across Texas or in person in Austin.