Part 2: What Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Looks Like in Schools

When I first claimed Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as my theory, I had a big question: what does this actually look like with students?

It’s one thing to say “I’m solution-focused.” It’s another to apply it in a busy school, where I may have just five minutes before a student has to get back to math class. Over time—and with practice—I’ve learned that SFBT doesn’t require long sessions. Even small, intentional conversations can shift a student’s perspective.

Core Principles I Keep in Mind

SFBT works on a few simple but powerful ideas:

• Look forward, not backward. The focus is on what the student wants to happen.

• Highlight strengths. Students already have skills and resources to build on.

• Small steps count. Progress doesn’t have to be huge to be meaningful.

• Students are the experts. My job is to draw out their solutions, not provide all the answers.

• 
  

How It Plays Out With Students

Scaling Questions

A 6th grader came to me upset about failing science tests. Instead of dwelling on the “why,” I asked,“On a scale of 1 to 10, where are you with science right now?”

He said “a 3.” We talked about what made it a 3 instead of a 1. He admitted he did take notes sometimes and had passed one quiz. Then I asked, “What would it look like to move from a 3 to a 4?” He decided he could start reviewing notes with a friend once a week. That one step was his solution.

The Miracle Question

A 7th grader, overwhelmed by friend drama, was stuck in tears. I asked, "If a miracle happened tonight and this problem was gone, what would be different tomorrow?”

She paused and then said, “I’d walk into school and just feel calm. I’d sit with people who actually wanted me there.” That vision helped us talk about who already made her feel welcome and how she could spend more time with them.

Finding Exceptions

An 8th grader who often skipped class came in frustrated about always being “in trouble.” Instead of focusing on the absences, I asked, “When do you actually make it to class on time? What’s different those days?”

He thought about it and said it was when his cousin walked with him to school. That became the starting point: leaning on his cousin’s support to get to class more often.

Why SFBT Fits Schools

These strategies don’t take long and that’s exactly why they work in schools. I may not have 50-minute sessions, but even short conversations can empower students to see options, use their strengths, and take small steps forward.

The Challenge

It’s tempting to follow students down the “problem path.” They come in ready to vent, and sometimes I want to dig into the why. But when I stay committed to the “solution path,” students leave with a plan instead of just a problem.

The Reward

The best part of being solution-focused is watching a student walk out of my office lighter than when they came in. They may not have all the answers, but they know one thing they can try. And that one step can change everything.

👉 Up next in Part 3: I’ll share the tools and resources I’ve collected (and created) to help me stay true to my SFBT practice as a school counselor.