Solution Focused Therapy

Solution Focused Therapy

Find Your Next Step, One Solution at a Time

Let’s be real: life throws curveballs. Sometimes it’s more like life’s pitching a whole game at you, and you’re standing there without a bat. But here’s the thing: you’ve got the tools to handle it—you just might not see them yet. That’s where Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) with Sage Counseling and Wellness steps in.

What’s SFBT?

Think of it as your personal GPS, but instead of dwelling on where you got lost, we’re laser-focused on getting you where you want to go. In Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, we don’t dig deep into all your past struggles or spend hours hashing out every roadblock. Instead, we focus on what’s working in your life, even if it feels like not much right now, and how to build on those strengths to create solutions.

Here’s a short breakdown of what Solution Focused Therapy might involve:

1. Miracle Question

This is one of the most well-known SFBT techniques. The therapist asks you to imagine that, overnight, a miracle happens and your problem is solved. The question usually goes something like, “If you woke up tomorrow and everything was suddenly better, what would be different?” This helps you envision your ideal future and identify the steps to achieve it.

2. Scaling Questions

Scaling questions help you assess your progress or feelings on a scale of 1 to 10. For example, a therapist might ask, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how anxious are you feeling today?” or “How close do you feel to your goal?” These questions help break down problems into manageable steps and encourage you to notice improvements.

3. Exception Questions

This technique involves asking you to reflect on times when your problem was less severe or didn’t exist. For example, “Can you think of a time recently when you didn’t feel anxious?” These questions help you recognize your own strengths and resources by highlighting moments when you successfully managed your difficulties.

4. Coping Questions

Coping questions are designed to help you recognize your resilience, even when you feel stuck. For instance, “How have you managed to cope with such a challenging situation?” These questions emphasize your existing coping strategies and foster a sense of empowerment.

What Comes Next

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with the therapist you would like to work with or fill out our potential client form here. From there, you will set up your first session, also known as an intake session. With your chosen therapist, let them know a bit about your concern, your history with past treatment, ask about our fees, and the best days and times to attend therapy sessions. 

Fees

Each therapist at Sage Counseling and Wellness has their own fee structure. When you have the initial consultation call with your therapist, you will discuss your fee with them. 

Our therapists do not participate in-network with any insurance companies. Clients pay their therapist each time they come to a session and are then emailed an insurance-compatible statement at the end of each month to send to their insurance companies for out-of-network reimbursement called a superbill. Each insurance company varies on what reimbursement they give for psychotherapy out of network. You may want to check with your insurance company to find out what they offer for psychotherapy with a therapist with your therapist’s particular licensure in Georgia.

What Can I Expect at My First Therapy Appointment?

Many people have fears, assumptions, and at times, no idea at all about what therapy will be like the first time they come in for a first session. We would also encourage you to reach out and ask your therapist any questions you have about what therapy will be like with them.

Each therapist has their own way of approaching their work. But here are some things that may happen in your first session here at Sage Counseling and Wellness:

• When you start your first online appointment, you’ll be in the virtual waiting room. 
• While you wait for your appointment, take a moment to breathe, look over any thoughts or items you’d like to share in the session, and perhaps take a restroom break beforehand so you can be fully present.
• As sessions are virtual, you can sit however you want to sit comfortably. Some clients prefer to sit at a desk, others in a comfy chair with a laptop or tablet, and some others sit on the floor on a yoga mat to stretch while in session. It’s completely up to you. 
• In your first session, your therapist will likely remind you that what you talk about in session is completely confidential with a few legal and ethical exceptions, which will be explained to you (and which are outlined in our consent to treatment document). If you have any questions about those policies, you’re encouraged to ask!
• Your therapist might discuss any other policies they have (cancellation, payment, session length, scheduling, or other ‘frequently asked questions’). This all only takes a few minutes.
• Then, depending on the level of crisis that you’re currently experiencing, your therapist might review their particular style of therapy, discuss your intake form with you, begin a more thorough assessment of your history, or just ask you what brings you in at that particular time. From there on, it’s a conversation and there are no right or wrong things for you to say — the only thing you can do ‘wrong’ at that point is to be dishonest, and in doing so you would only slow down your progress. If there is something about your therapist that seems like it would get in the way of you feeling comfortable being honest, you can say so, and your therapist may be able to help you feel more comfortable. We want you to feel comfortable and confident with your therapist. If at any time you don’t, please let them know or let the director know.
• Your therapist may or may not take notes, depending on their treatment style. These notes are also confidential unless you consent to their release, and they are kept safely in our electronic health record system.
• Therapy is a safe space to show your vulnerability so crying is perfectly acceptable.
• You’ll pay for your session at the end, generally, via your credit card on file.
• You can discuss a regular meeting time with your therapist so that this time becomes your reserved time. This helps in accountability for you to work on your progress as well.