SFBT San Diego — Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Many therapeutic approaches can benefit a person seeking treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. Traditional talk therapy helps you discover why you began abusing substances. However, not every individual needs or wants to spend much time rehashing their personal history. Solution-focused brief therapy is an alternative.
Participating in solution-focused brief therapy in California can give you the tools you need to improve all aspects of your life. This type of therapy can help you accomplish long-lasting recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
For more information about our solution-focused brief therapy clinic, call Pacific Bay Recovery at (619)-350-8220.
What Is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy?
Many people have not heard of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), but according to Psychology Today, it is one of the most widely used types of therapy in the world. SFBT was developed in the late 1970s as a tool for helping psychiatric patients.
Traditional methods of psychotherapy focus mainly on why people require mental health treatment. SFBT focuses on the “how” of recovery.
Similar to cognitive-behavioral therapy, in solution-focused brief therapy for addiction treatment, more focus is placed on helping patients deal with concerns as they are right now. This is not to suggest that patients should not address childhood trauma, mental illness, or other factors in the course of treatment for substance use disorders.
SFBT may be used as a complement to other types of therapy or for those who have already devoted time to traditional talk therapy and don’t need to spend a great deal of time investigating the past.
Two important goals of the solution-focused approach are to minimize the time spent in therapy and to minimize the amount of time an individual spends suffering. Our SFBT treatment specialists in California may use solution-based therapy as a stand-alone therapy or as part of a comprehensive treatment program.
Call Pacific Bay Recovery at (619) 350-8220 with any questions you may have about our San Diego solution-focused brief therapy providers.
What to Expect from Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Treatment
You will work with a licensed therapist when receiving solution-focused brief therapy treatment in San Diego. Typically, your therapist will begin the first session by asking you what your expectations for treatment are and how you envision your life free from addiction.
The therapist may ask something like, “If a miracle happened, and you woke up tomorrow completely free from all desire to abuse drugs or alcohol, what would your life look like?” This first step helps the therapist understand your goals so you can work together to realize the desired changes.
In addition to the “miracle” question, a solution-based brief therapy session is made up of three different components.
For effective SFBT therapy in San Diego, call Pacific Bay Recovery at (619) 350-8220.
Coping Questions
The therapist will also ask questions about coping skills or times in the past when addiction did not have power over your moods, thoughts, and actions. Some of the questions you can expect include variations of:
- What was different about you in the past when drinking/using drugs was not a problem?
- What solutions have worked when you were in a similar situation?
- How did you keep the problem from getting worse in the past?
Coping questions help to identify your strengths and help you see the resilience and courage you already possess.
Scaling Questions
Scaling questions may be asked to help you and the therapist evaluate progress. The therapist may ask something like, “On a scale from 1 to 10, how hopeful are you about completing your treatment program?”
In addition, you may be asked to evaluate your progress by rating it on a scale of 1 to 10. Using a rating scale helps patients see they are making progress even if forward steps are small. Scaling can also be helpful for people who have a difficult time finding the words to express themselves verbally.
Consultation Break
When receiving solution-focused brief therapy in San Diego, your therapist may also use what is known as a “consultation break.” This is a brief break in the middle of the session to review the points that have already been discussed.
Your therapist will leave you alone for just a few minutes to give you a chance to reflect privately. When your therapist returns, you can share any insights you had while in solitude.
What Are the Benefits of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in San Diego, CA?
SFBT offers a number of benefits to patients with substance and alcohol use disorders. Some of the advantages include:
- It is goal-oriented and helps patients stay focused on achievements
- Counselors provide positive reinforcements and recognize even small successes
- SFBT allows patients to determine the goals of therapy
- Treatment focuses on the future and not the past
As the name implies, solution-oriented brief therapy is intended to be short-term. Sessions typically last about 45 minutes. The average duration of treatment is about five sessions and can take up to eight sessions.
However, because SFBT is focused on solutions, a single session can be successful if it results in finding a solution to the patient’s dilemma.
If you or a loved one would benefit from treatment at our SFBT center in San Diego, call Pacific Bay Recovery today at (619)-350-8220.
Find SFBT Therapy in San Diego at Pacific Bay Recovery
SFBT treatment in San Diego is a short-term form of treatment that can help those struggling with addiction find real solutions. It may be recommended for those who don’t want or need to spend many weeks discussing past issues with a therapist. It may also be used as a complementary treatment to traditional therapy.
Like our other holistic treatments, solution-focused brief therapy helps empower patients to see they have the wisdom to solve their own problems and develop coping skills that will support lasting recovery. It is an upbeat, affirming type of therapy that puts the patient in the driver’s seat.
Learn more about the Pacific Bay Recovery San Diego SFBT treatment center by calling (619)-350-8220.
