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Solution-focused therapy / SFB-A18-1

Keeping the Helpful Difference — Concept brief

Understand the idea behind keeping the helpful difference and consider whether it fits your context.

8 minutes · Handout · Adults; supported use as appropriate

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Fictional example: Devin's task-starting routine depends on written instructions arriving on time.

Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. Maintenance can include anticipating constraints and seeking support.

The idea

Maintenance can include anticipating constraints and seeking support.

An ordinary example

Devin's task-starting routine depends on written instructions arriving on time.

What this can look like

Name a helpful change, the conditions that sustain it, and an early sign that adjustment is needed.

Check the fit

What support makes this change sustainable? You may disagree with the framing, use fiction, or decide that this approach is not useful today.

A useful distinction

A preferred future can include advocacy, accommodations, and external change; optimism is not required.

Prompts for this resource

  1. What part of this idea makes sense to me?
  2. What support makes this change sustainable?

Conceptual background

What is Solution-Focused Therapy? — Solution-Focused Therapy Institute

Background on the approach only. Original exercises and wording are by More Than Therapy with AI assistance; the source does not validate or endorse these materials.

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