SFBT Therapeutic Techniques and Procedures

Main techniques of SFBT: 

1. Miracle Question

• Purpose: Helps clients imagine what life would look like if the problem were suddenly resolved.

• Example: “Suppose tonight, while you sleep, a miracle happens and the problem is gone. What would be the first thing you’d notice tomorrow that tells you the miracle occurred?”

• Encourages hope, vision, and clarity around goals.

2. Exception Questions

• Purpose: Identify times when the problem is less intense or doesn’t occur at all.

• Example: “Tell me about a time when this wasn’t a problem. What was different?”

• Builds on existing strengths and strategies that have worked before.

3. Scaling Questions

• Purpose: Measure progress, motivation, confidence, or severity of the issue using a scale (usually 0 to 10).

• Example: “On a scale from 0 to 10, how confident are you that you can manage this week’s challenges?”

• Helps set goals and track small improvements.

4. Coping Questions

• Purpose: Highlight resilience and the client’s ability to function despite challenges.

• Example: How have you managed to get through the day even with everything going on?”

• Reinforces personal strength and survival skills.

5. Compliments and Positive Reinforcement

• Purpose: Encourage, affirm, and build the client’s confidence.

• Therapists highlight what clients are doing well and express genuine appreciation for their efforts.

• Builds rapport and motivation for change.

6. Goal Setting and Future-Oriented Language

• Purpose: Keep the conversation focused on what the client wants rather than what they don't want.

• Example: “What will be happening in your life when things are just a little bit better?”

Therapuetic Process:The therapeutic process in SFBT is designed to be brief, goal-focused, and highly collaborative. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how the process typically unfolds:

1. Build a Collaborative Relationship

• The therapist creates a supportive, respectful, and non-judgmental environment.

• Emphasis is placed on the client’s expertise in their own life.

• Early rapport-building often includes compliments and positive reinforcement.

2. Define the Client’s Goals

• The therapist helps the client identify what they want to be different in their life.

• Goals are framed positively, clearly, and in concrete terms.

• Example: “What would your life look like if this problem were no longer an issue?”

3. Use the Miracle Question

• The miracle question invites the client to visualize a future without the problem.

• This helps them clarify their goals and begin to imagine practical steps toward change.

• It also shifts the focus from what's wrong to what’s possible.

4. Identify Exceptions

• The therapist helps the client identify times when the problem was absent or less intense.

• These “exceptions” reveal effective behaviors, strengths, and resources the client already possesses.

• The goal is to do “more of what works.”

5. Use Scaling Questions

• Scaling questions assess the client’s progress, confidence, or readiness for change.

• They help set achievable goals and track improvement from session to session.

• Example: “On a scale of 0 to 10, where are you today?” followed by “What would it take to move up one point?”

6. Develop Action Steps

• Based on the client’s existing successes and preferred future, small, realistic tasks are developed.

• The focus remains on manageable steps that build hope and momentum.

7. Reinforce Strengths and Progress

• The therapist offers specific compliments and acknowledges the client’s strengths and efforts.

• This builds self-efficacy and reinforces the idea that the client is capable of creating change.

8. Evaluate and Adjust

• Sessions are reviewed for progress.

• Clients and therapists collaboratively decide when goals have been met or when adjustments are needed.

One Therapy technique/procedure I want to try/practice: 

The Miracle Question - I’m really drawn to the Miracle Question because it’s such a simple yet powerful way to help clients imagine a future without their current struggles. It shifts the focus from the problem to possibilities, often sparking hope and motivation. I’d love to explore how different clients respond to it—especially those who feel stuck or overwhelmed. I think it opens the door for creative thinking and goal setting, and I’m curious to see how it can help clients start seeing their own potential for change.

Role of the counselor (e.g., counselor characteristics/behaviors): In SFBT, the counselor plays a collaborative, strengths-focused, and goal-oriented role. Rather than acting as an expert who diagnoses or analyzes the problem, the counselor guides clients toward solutions by helping them identify what’s working and how to build on it.

1. Collaborative Partner:
   Works with the client to co-create goals and action steps. The client is viewed as the expert in their own life.

2. Strengths-Based:
   Consistently highlights and affirms the client’s existing resources, abilities, and past successes.

3. Hope-Oriented:
   Maintains a positive, future-focused attitude to encourage motivation and belief in change.

4. Curious and Respectful:
   Uses open-ended, non-judgmental questions to explore the client’s experiences without imposing interpretations or labels.

5. Solution-Focused Questioner:
   Asks targeted questions like the miracle question, scaling questions, and exception questions to shift focus from problems to solutions.

6. Encouraging and Supportive:
   Offers frequent, genuine compliments that reinforce the client’s progress and self-efficacy.