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Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) is a goal-oriented approach that prioritizes progress over problem analysis. Instead of spending extensive time on where an issue came from, SFT focuses on what you want to be different and the steps that can move you there.
SFT is built on the idea that people already have strengths and resources they can use to create change. Therapy helps identify those strengths, build momentum, and turn goals into clear, achievable actions.
SFT is designed to help you:
SFT emphasizes what you already do well—skills, values, supports, and coping strategies—so you can use them more consistently.
Therapy starts by clarifying what you want to accomplish. Goals are specific and personal so sessions stay focused and useful.
SFT treats progress as incremental. Small changes can build confidence and lead to larger shifts over time.
SFT prioritizes the life you want to build. Past experiences can be discussed when helpful, but the work stays oriented toward what’s next.
SFT is a partnership. The therapist brings structure and curiosity; you bring expertise about your life, priorities, and pace.
You and your therapist define what you want to be different in practical terms (for example, “speak up more at work” rather than “feel less anxious”).
You look for times the problem is less intense or absent. These moments often reveal what already helps—routines, supports, environments, or decisions that can be repeated.
SFT uses guided questions to help you picture what “better” looks like and how you’ll know you’re moving in the right direction.
Together, you identify actions that are realistic and repeatable, then adjust them based on results.
SFT pays attention to wins—small and large—because progress is easier to sustain when it’s recognized and made visible.
A question used to clarify goals and details: if the problem improved, what would you notice first, and what would be different day to day?
Rating progress or confidence on a 1–10 scale helps make change measurable and identifies what would move you up one point.
Exploring “when things go better” helps uncover strategies you can apply more often.
Therapy highlights capabilities and past successes to support confidence and follow-through.
SFT can be used for concerns such as:
At The Cohen Clinic, SFT is offered in a supportive, structured way that respects your goals and pace. If you’re looking for solution-focused therapy in Toronto, our psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers can help you clarify what you want, identify what’s already working, and take practical next steps.