Questions About Chris and His Work

Therapy, also called counseling or psychotherapy, is typically a long-term process whereby a licensed mental health professional accesses a client’s problem, assigns a diagnosis, (which is then submitted to insurance for reimbursement) and then through ongoing therapeutic sessions, seeks to reduce a client’s unwanted symptoms.

Coaching, on the other hand is typically present and future-focused and focused on helping clients break through (real or imagined) barriers and achieve their desired goals. Anyone can call themselves a coach, and most coaching certification programs offer an initial certification program lasting around 100 hours. One does not need to be a licensed mental health professional to be a coach.

Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is one of the few approaches in psychotherapy that began as “evidence-based,” vs. most other models which are typically “theory-driven”. 

Since its development in the late 1970s, there have been approximately 150 randomized clinical trials with SFBT, demonstrating its widespread efficacy in a wide variety of fields, including mental health, education, training, and business consulting.
 
As the name implies, Solution-focused Brief Therapy is brief and focuses on a person’s innate skills, resources and coping abilities, and obtaining desired outcomes, rather than the problems that brought someone in the door. It has been described as a “goal-directed, collaborative approach to psychotherapeutic change,” (1) and is typically present and future-focused.
 

Here are some potential benefits of SFBT:

  1. Brief and focused: SFBT is typically a short-term therapy that focuses on identifying and achieving goals in a specific area of life. This means that clients can often see results quickly, and it can be more cost-effective than longer-term therapies.

  2. Client-centered: SFBT is focused on the client’s goals and preferences, rather than on the therapist’s ideas or theories. This means that clients are actively involved in the therapy process and have a greater sense of control over their own progress.

  3. Strength-based: SFBT focuses on identifying and building on the client’s existing strengths and resources, rather than on their problems or weaknesses. This can help clients feel more empowered and confident, and can lead to more sustainable change.

  4. Collaborative: SFBT is a collaborative process between the client and the therapist. The therapist provides guidance and support, but the client is the expert on their own life and experiences. This collaborative approach can help clients feel more engaged and invested in the therapy process.

  5. Future-oriented: SFBT is focused on helping clients identify and achieve their goals for the future, rather than on analyzing or dwelling on past problems. This can help clients feel more optimistic and motivated, and can lead to a greater sense of purpose and direction in life.

Overall, SFBT can be a useful approach for individuals who want to make positive changes in their lives and feel more in control of their own progress. It can be particularly effective for issues that are focused on specific goals, such as relationship or career problems. However, as with any form of therapy, the effectiveness of SFBT will depend on bond formed between therapist and client and the individual’s unique situation and needs.

For an in-depth look at SFBT, download the free report, “Solution-focused Secrets” here.

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solution-focused_brief_therapy 

Evidence-based therapy is the gold standard in mental health care, yet many providers still rely on approaches that may be ineffective, and even harmful. In layman’s terms, an “evidence-based practice” is a practice that’s based on widespread clinical evidence, as opposed to someone’s opinion as to what’s effective, without the research to back it up.

A licensed mental health professional means a person, other than a physician, who is licensed by the state to engage in the practice of psychology or psychiatric nursing, or to provide professional therapy or counseling services; for the purpose of improving one’s mental health or to treat mental disorders. Getting licensed as a mental health professional requires completion of a master’s or doctoral degree in one’s specific area of study.

Chris #1 bestseller Persistence, Pivots and Gamechangers is available on Amazon, here.

You can hear Chris’ music on his Official Music Site and anywhere music is sold or streamed. You can also purchase downloads of his songs and albums, CDs, and Merch on Chris’ official music site as well.

You can contact Chris through Chris Chickering, Inc.,
1704 Llano St. Suite B #146 Santa Fe, NM 87505, fill out the form, here or email him at Chris@ChrisChickering.com