Denver Center for Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

11/27/2025

Love this! In Solution-Focused Practice we always have to remember this might be our last conversation. It changes how we think and interact

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11/27/2025

11/24/2025

When I was learning to be a therapist in the ‘80s, we were encouraged to be eclectic. I was encouraged to mix and match therapeutic models at will. As a result, I left school knowing a little about many things, and not feeling competent at anything.

Once I was introduced to Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and learned how to truly immerse myself into one model to learn its true potential, my point of view changed. To use a model well and get the outcomes demonstrated by research, one must use the evidenced-based model as designed. When one mixes evidenced-based models, one destroys the evidence-base of both, otherwise good models. While I do believe SFBT is the most versatile and best model for me and my work, I still believe there are many other excellent, evidenced-based models. If I’m going to truly “be” solution-focused, I can not allow myself to be lulled into thinking that my chosen path is the “right” path or “best” path for all.

I find it useful to think of all the various therapeutic models as different pairs of shoes. Some people have many pairs, and some have a well-worn pair. Each pair is valid in its own way, yet the key to success is to commit to wearing two shoes that match at any one time. One is welcome to change pairs if one prefers, yet committing to one pair at a time works best. Too often as I talk to new learners of the model and listen to their struggles, it becomes quite clear that the source of their struggles is that they are running around in two shoes that don’t match – a slipper and a flip flop so to speak. Once they begin to understand what this pair of shoes truly is and gain the ability to separate it out from their other pairs of shoes, they can begin to more purposefully choose which pair of shoes is best for them and their work.

11/17/2025

The need to “be kind” has now become a frequently stated concept in our culture. However, I am often surprised when I hear professionals interpret this idea of being kind to be synonymous with being silent or keeping the status quo. This is definitely not what I mean when I encourage professionals and others around me to be kind. Here is what I mean. . .

* Being kind requires that one sees the human being in front of us as we address the sometimes uncomfortable issues in the room.

* Being kind requires that we think before we speak and find the most compassionate way to achieve the necessary results.

* Being kind means that we are focused on lasting change and not just immediate gratification of expressing how we are feeling in the moment.

* Being kind requires that we seek to find the most respectful language and method as we directly address at times difficult subjects.

* Being kind means that we understand that our world view may not be the only one in the room.

* Being kind means we allow a space for information we may not already have. Kindness is never from a place of arrogance.

* Being kind is often not the easy path.

10/03/2025

“Let us develop respect for all living things . Let us replace violence and intolerance with understanding, and compassion, and Love”
-Jane Goodall

09/16/2025

Solution-focused challenge!

Before each significant interaction today, consider what you want to get bigger in this conversation. Remember, whatever we focus on, ask about, etc., will be bigger as a result.

08/26/2025

So often clients focus solely on being happy as their initial goal. I encourage solution-focused learners to instead invite the client to think in terms of a broader vision, since emotions, while important, are fleeting. As humans, our behaviors are expressions of our ability to successfully manage these more fluid emotional states.