Solution-Focused Therapy

My Approach

What solution-focused therapy is

Solution-focused therapy is a brief, practical approach that looks forward rather than spending most of its time on the history of a problem. It starts from a simple observation: even when things are hard, there are usually moments when the problem is a little smaller, a little quieter or a little more manageable.

Those moments, sometimes called exceptions, hold useful information. What was different about that day? What did you do? Who was around? The answers often point to strengths and strategies you already have but may not have noticed.

The approach is respectful and hopeful without being naive. We take the problem seriously, and we also take your capacity seriously.

• Future focused
• Strengths based
• Practical steps
• Respectful and collaborative

Describing the future you want

A common starting point is a detailed description of what life would look like if the problem were less in charge. Not a fantasy, but a realistic picture. What would you be doing on a typical morning? How would you respond differently at work, at home or with friends? Who would notice the change first?

Describing that picture in specific, everyday terms often clarifies what matters most. It can also reveal that parts of it are already happening, at least on some days. Those are the parts we build on.

This way of working can feel lighter than people expect. That is not because we are avoiding hard things. It is because attention to what works tends to create energy, and energy is often what people are missing when they feel stuck.

Over the course of therapy, we keep returning to that picture, updating it as your goals become clearer and noticing the progress that is easy to miss from week to week.

When I use it

Solution-focused work is useful when you feel stuck, overwhelmed or unsure where to begin. It fits well with life transitions, when the old way of living no longer applies and the new way is not yet clear. It also helps with stress and burnout, when energy is limited and you need to focus on what matters most.

I rarely use it alone. It combines naturally with CBT, which helps examine thoughts that narrow your options, with Motivational Interviewing, which helps with mixed feelings about change, and with DBT skills for moments when emotion runs high.

Solution-focused does not mean skipping over pain. If something hard needs attention, we give it attention. The approach simply keeps a steady eye on where you want to go.

Why it fits how I work

My style is warm and direct, and I like therapy to stay connected to real life. Solution-focused questions help keep our conversations grounded in what you can actually do between sessions, not just what we understand in the room.

My years leading programs in hospital and state behavioral health systems also taught me to look for what is working in a system and build on it. The same principle applies to a person's life.

Beginning therapy

You do not need a clear goal before you start. Part of our early work is often clarifying what you want, in terms concrete enough to notice when it begins to happen.

Sessions are by secure video for adults physically located in Connecticut, New York or Massachusetts. A free consultation is a good first step. We can talk about what you want to change and whether this approach fits. Visit the Work With Me page to request a time through the secure client portal.