Solution Focused Therapy
WHAT IS SOLUTION FOCUSED THERAPY?
Whereas traditional therapy practices focus on past traumas and experiences, Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) is goal directed and centers around exploring your current hopes for the future. Also known as Solution Focused Brief Therapy, this method takes root in the idea that you know what is best for yourself. With the right coaching, you can create solutions to your problems and plan for a better future.
HISTORY OF SOLUTION FOCUSED THERAPY
SFT was developed in the late 1970s by Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg, and their colleagues. These practitioners studied the amount of time, money, and resources that were invested in traditional therapy methods and realized that for a lot of clients these methods were inefficient. Because the focus of these methods is past traumas, often the original problems that caused clients to seek therapy continued. This team created SFT in order to alleviate the amount of time people spend in therapy while creating realistic and lasting solutions.
SOLUTION FOCUSED THERAPY SESSIONS
As the name suggests, Solution Focused Therapy is very goal oriented. In SFT, counselors ask specific types of questions to help clients recognize their own virtues and strengths. During therapy, clients learn to recognize their strengths and apply that towards finding solutions and making positive changes as quickly as possible. Three types of questions that Solution Focused Therapists ask are:
- Coping Questions – These questions aim to demonstrate to clients their own strengths when it comes to resiliency. Through coping questions, clients come to realize the ways in which clients are already capable of overcoming challenges in their own lives.
- Miracle Questions – A Solution Focused practitioner might use these questions to help a client explain how their lives would look without the current problem they are facing. Through these questions, individuals identify small steps they can take towards solutions.
- Scaling Questions – These kinds of questions are used so that a practitioner can better understand how hopeful, motivated, and confident an individual is. Scaling questions are used when clients have trouble verbalizing or may not understand the challenges they are currently facing.
BENEFITS OF SOLUTION FOCUSED THERAPY
Solution Focused Therapy is used in conjunction with other types of therapies and has been widely successful in individual therapy, as well as family therapy and couples counseling. SFT also has a proven positive effect with young individuals who are experiencing behavioral or school-related concerns.
A benefit of Solution Focused Therapy is that it is entirely focused on providing you with the tools to fix your problems efficiently and to give you the best return on your investment. This method is a really great option for clients focused on the present or future.
POSSIBLE DRAWBACKS OF SOLUTION FOCUSED THERAPY
Due to the quick and solution-oriented nature of this method, SFT may not be the best option for clients who are experiencing severe mental health concerns or clients who need to overcome past traumas. Clients wishing to explore the underlying causes to maladaptive behaviors may find therapy options that address those concerns more helpful.
SOLUTION FOCUSED THERAPISTS AT GIBSON COUNSELING
Michelle Sumners, LCSW, LCDC
Michelle's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Michelle
Location: Counseling in Round Rock and virtual counseling for Texas residents
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: NO (no couples or kids)
Hours subject to availability: Monday through Friday 10am to 7 pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm in person or virtual Round Rock
Expertise: Adults and couples
- Addiction
- Anger
- Anxiety
- CBT
- DBT/ Mindfulness
- Depression
- Eating Disorders and Self Esteem
- ADHD
- Life adjustment
- LGBTQ
- Mood Disorders
- Marriage Counseling
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma
Sheryl Stiffler, LMFT
Sheryl's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Sheryl
Location: Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: Yes Video only
Hours subject to availability: Monday 3-8pm and Tuesday 2-8pm telehealth only
Currently seeing: Adults - Individuals Only (no couples or children at this time)
Susan Valley, LCSW
Susan's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Susan
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No
Hours subject to availability: Monday: 2-7 pm Virtual only
Expertise: Adults, Couples and Teens (16 yrs and up)
Mary Ellen Martin, LMFT
MaryEllen's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about MaryEllen
Location: Counseling in Round Rock and virtual counseling for Texas residents
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No Individuals & Couples (No kids at this Time )
Hours subject to availability: Monday through Thursday 10am to 630pm in person or virtual Round Rock
Expertise:
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- ADHD
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Christian Counseling
- CBT
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Grief/Loss
- Life adjustment
- LGBTQ
- Marriage Counseling-Gottman
- DBT/ Mindfulness
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma
- Self Esteem
Megan Brissenden, LCSW
Megan's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Megan
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: ONLY TAKING THESE INSURANCES AT THIS TIME (all others in process): Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), United Health Care (UMR, Oscar, Optum, Allsavers), Healthcare Highways, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: Yes - Adult individuals and kids 12 years and up
Hours subject to availability: Monday 9-5:30p, Tuesday 9-5:30p and Thursday 9-6:30p in person or virtual at Cedar Park
Expertise: Adults, Couples and Teens (12 yrs and up)
Ana "Rebeca" Ramirez, LPC
Rebeca's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Rebeca
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No- Children age 7 and older and adult Individuals
Hours subject to availability: Tuesday through Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 12pm In person Cedar Park or virtual
Rebeca speaks both English and Spanish. Rebeca habla español.
Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up
Sally Guerra, LPC
Sally's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sally
Location: Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Evaluations Offered: ADD, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Anger Issues and PTSD
Accepting clients: Yes Video only (Children age 12 and up)
Hours subject to availability: Wednesday 8am to 12, Thursday and Friday 8am to 5pm telehealth only
Expertise: Kids (12yr and up), Adults and Couples
- Addiction
- ADHD
- Anger
- Anxiety
- CBT
- Child and adolescent counseling (12 years and older)
- Depression
- Geriatric/Elderly concerns
- LGBTQIA
- Life adjustment
- Marriage Counseling
- Mindfulness
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma
- Dissociative Disorder
Paulina Pina, LPC
Paulina's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Paulina
Location: Counseling in Round Rock and virtual counseling for Texas residents
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No -Kids (13 yrs and older), Adults and Couples
Hours subject to availability: Monday through Thursday 10am to 4:30pm in person or virtual Round Rock
Paulina speaks both English and Spanish. Paulina habla español.
Expertise:Kids (13 yrs and older), Adults and Couples
Rhonda Mack, LPC
Rhonda's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Rhonda
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: Yes - Adults, Couples and kids ages 12 and up.
Hours subject to availability: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 6pm in person or virtual at Cedar Park, Monday 2pm to 7pm virtual only, every other Saturday 10am-1pm virtual only
Expertise: Adults, Couples and kids ages 12 and up
- Military Veterans and/or family
- BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous and People of Color)
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
- Self Esteem
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Children 16 yrs and up
- CBT
- Trauma
- Depression
- Life adjustment
- LGBTQ
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Marriage Counseling
Sasha Sharp, LPC
Sasha's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Sasha
Location: Counseling in Cedar Park and Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No
Hours subject to availability: Tuesday through Thursday 9am to 6pm in person or virtual Cedar Park, Monday and Fridays 8am to 5pm telehealth only
Expertise: Adults and Children 7 and up
- Anxiety
- Addiction
- Anger
- ADHD
- Children 7 yrs and up
- CBT
- Depression
- Life adjustment
- Mindfulness
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Trauma
- Christian Counseling
- Marriage Counseling
Amy Venn, LCSW-S
Amy's Patient Portal / New Client Registration Read more about Amy
Location: Video counseling for residents in Texas
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: Yes
Hours subject to availability: Wednesday and Thursday 5:30pm to 9:30pm telehealth only
Expertise: Adults and Children (12 and up), No Couples
- ADHD
- Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Parents of kids/adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Anxiety
- Autism
- CBT
- Child and adolescent counseling (12 and up)
- Christian Counseling
- Chronic illness
- Depression
- Grief/Loss
- Life adjustment
- Solution Focused Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Trauma
Danielle Linders, LPC, LCDC
Justice, Therapy Dog in Training
Danielle's Patient Portal / New Client RegistrationRead more about Danielle
Location: Counseling in Round Rock and virtual counseling for Texas residents
Insurances Accepted: Aetna / First Health (No EAP), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth (No EAP), Healthcare Highways, Magellan, Moda, Multiplan/PHCS Claritev, Partners Direct, Sendero, Scott and White, Tricare/Triwest/CCN-VA, United Health Care (UMR, Optum, Oscar, Allsavers), Self pay $150. We DO NOT accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Accepting New Clients: No- Danielle has a therapy dog in training (Justice) during sessions
Hours subject to availability: Monday through Thursday 10am to 7pm in person or virtual Round Rock
Expertise: Adults and Couples
