5 Reasons Why Parents Love Online Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Kids and Teens

Although Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) has been around for decades, it’s making a comeback of sorts.

And it’s not hard to understand why.

At its core, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is a hope-filled counseling approach that draws on the strengths and resources of the client. It’s a “moving towards what you want” approach versus a “moving away from the problem” approach.

And for many of us, that’s exactly what we need and want right now. Having come out of a prolonged pandemic wrought with fear and challenges, hope is what moves us forward.

No longer satisfied with dissecting a problem for months and analyzing it from every angle, clients want to see improvement quickly and feel confident moving on with their lives.

Parents especially, are drawn to this counseling approach for their children because it’s highly effective and children actually enjoy creating the future they want to live in.

Here are 5 main reasons why parents love Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for their kids and teens.

5 Reasons Why Parents Love Online Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for their Kids and Teens in Illinois and Florida

Reason #1: SFBT is highly effective

Many evidence-based studies indicate SFBT’s effectiveness in working with all types of clients. Every time SFBT has been researched, it has been shown to be as effective as any other therapy approach. But most importantly, 100% of the time, it has been effective in fewer sessions.

Why is SFBT so effective? Researchers believe that it’s because it challenges your child to think and shift their pattern of attention in ways that more traditional counseling approaches do not.

And it challenges thought patterns that keep problems alive. By focusing on where your child wants to go and describing that outcome in great detail, they become motivated to create change in their lives.

Reason #2: SFBT works quickly

In SFBT, we get right to work zeroing in on your child’s goals without getting lost in the details, old history, and diagnoses that so many other counseling approaches focus on.

We know that change can happen quickly. Because your child’s strengths already exist, it often takes less time to put them to use in addressing the problem.

Not only does this evidenced-based counseling approach continue to produce excellent results but it does so in only a fraction of the time. In fact, the average number of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) sessions is only 5 compared to other therapy models that require 12-20 sessions.

This is great news for kids and teens who may have refused counseling earlier because of the lengthy time commitment required. Learning they can feel better more quickly with SFBT is a relief to many kids and teens.

Reason #3: SFBT highlights your child’s skills and resources

SFBT also highlights your child’s strengths, resources, and resilience to bring about the change they desire. By having a hopeful and detailed conversation, your child expands their vision of what’s possible in life.

We never dictate to your child what change needs to happen – either in their thinking or behavior. Rather, they’re invited into a world where things could be different. What might your child be like if they found themselves in that world? What might they notice themselves doing (or not doing) that could lead to a difference in their lives?

All change occurs because of your child’s contribution to it. What did they do to bring that change about? If they did it once, they can do it again. They begin to realize that it’s not some external factor over which they have no control. Your child becomes the agent of change.

Reason 4: Kids and teens enjoy answering SFBT questions!

Again, SFBT is a questions-based process that allows your child to build change into their lives in the shortest possible time. In a session, your child will answer lots of questions. But these questions are not your run of the mill “And how does that make you feel?” type therapy questions.

Instead, SFBT questions are formed from your child’s description of what their lives will be like should the therapy be successful and from detailed descriptions of previous successes.

As your child answers questions in ways they’ve never heard themselves talk before, new pathways are created that lead them to noticing differences and making changes in their lives.

And because these questions are unique and intriguing to answer, the counseling process becomes that much more enjoyable for your child.

Reason #5: SFBT is a natural fit for online therapy

SFBT at its core is a hopeful conversation between therapist and client which makes it a natural fit for online therapy. Online therapy involves you identifying a quiet room for you and your child that is equipped with a computer, internet access, and webcam. Then we each log onto a safe, confidential online video conferencing system to meet for a private counseling session. It’s really that simple.

In addition, video chatting actually mimics the way kids are most comfortable communicating with friends. In some respects, online therapy may feel “safer” than visiting an office and having to share difficult feelings with an adult in person. And kids can also surround themselves with special toys or stuffed animals that bring them comfort.

By far, online therapy sessions are easier for you as a parent to manage because you do not need to commute to an office. There’s a reason why we’re seeing online SFBT therapy in Illinois continue to grow in popularity – people love its ease of access. It also allows you to do counseling on your schedule, wherever you feel most comfortable.

Lastly, studies have consistently proven that online therapy delivers equal results to in-office counseling. In fact, researchers have studied how kids respond to computer-based therapy and found that it can be helpful for both depression and anxiety. According to the study, kids spend so much time on their phones and other devices that this form of therapy may come more naturally to them.

Begin Online Therapy for Kids and Teens with Anxiety in Illinois and now Florida!

If your child or teen is struggling with anxiety, there is hope! Anxiety is highly treatable and online anxiety treatment at Briefly Counseling can help.

Using Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, I help kids and teens reduce their anxiety and build resilience so they can become a happier, more confident version of themselves.

And kids love being able to receive counseling from the comfort and privacy of their own home. Studies have consistently proven that online therapy delivers equal results to in-office counseling.

As an experienced and caring therapist, I love providing counseling for anxiety. To start your child’s counseling journey, call me at 224-236-2296 or email Helena@BrieflyCounseling.com to schedule a FREE 20-minute consultation.

Helena Madsen, MA, LCPC is the founder of Briefly Counseling. I specialize in providing online short-term anxiety treatment for kids and teens ages 7 – 18 as well as Christian counseling.

Whether you’re on the North Shore, in Naperville, Chicago, Champaign, Barrington, Libertyville, Glenview, or downstate Illinois, I can help.

And effective 2024, I am now licensed in Florida! For parents in Jacksonville, Pensacola, Destin, Crestview, Coral Gables, Weston, Parkland, Naples, Marco Island, and Pinecrest, I have immediate openings.

Schedule your appointment or consultation today. I look forward to working with your child to quickly and effectively help them in activating their strengths, resources, and resilience, in order to live with confidence and hope.