Intervention Summary
Solution-Focused Group Therapy
Solution-Focused Group Therapy (SFGT) is a strengths-based group intervention for clients in treatment for mental or substance use disorders that focuses on building solutions to reach desired goals. SFGT is an application of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in a group setting. Developed out of brief family therapy, SFBT uses language and social interactions to construct new psychological meanings and behaviors. It emphasizes what the client wants to achieve through therapy rather than the client's problems and failings in the past. Based on the notion that individuals know their situation best and are capable of generating their own solutions, SFBT aims to build on the client's resources, strengths, and motivation. SFBT has been used with adolescents and adults in a variety of settings. The use of SFBT with a group allows clients to observe and learn from others and utilize group connections. Clients typically participate in SFGT for 12 group sessions. In the study reviewed, adult clients referred for treatment of relatively mild substance abuse problems received six 90-minute sessions of SFGT. Minimally, an SFGT therapist should possess a master's degree in counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, psychiatry, or a similar discipline, as well as training in SFBT and training and consultation in SFGT.
The documents below were reviewed for Quality of Research. The research point of
contact can provide information regarding the studies reviewed and the availability
of additional materials, including those from more recent studies that may have been conducted. Smock, S. A., Trepper, T. S., Wetchler, J. L., McCollum, E. E., Ray, R., & Pierce, K. Solution-Focused Group Therapy for level 1 substance abusers. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 34(1), 107-120.
The following populations were identified in the studies reviewed for Quality of
Research.
External reviewers independently evaluate the Quality of Research for an intervention's
reported results using six criteria:
For more information about these criteria and the meaning of the ratings, see Quality of Research.
The outcome measures in the study are widely used and have strong and stable psychometric properties. Researchers made a good effort to ensure that participating therapists had appropriate skill levels and adhered to the treatment models. Random assignment to treatment condition controlled potential confounding to some extent. Attrition was substantial, and participants not completing the study were not described or accounted for in the analysis. Analytical steps to assess and control for confounding, such as multivariate methods, were not undertaken and would have been problematic to accomplish given the small sample size.
The materials below were reviewed for Readiness for Dissemination. The implementation
point of contact can provide information regarding implementation of the intervention
and the availability of additional, updated, or new materials. Denver Center for Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Suggested solution-focused reading. Lehmann, P., & Patton, J. D. The development of a solution-focused fidelity instrument: A pilot study. In C. Franklin, T. Trepper, W. J. Gingerich, & E. McCollum (Eds.), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A handbook of evidence-based practice (pp. 39-54). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Pichot, T. (with Smock, S. A.). Solution-focused substance abuse treatment. New York, NY: Routledge. Pichot, T. Solution-Focused Group Treatment [PowerPoint slides]. Pichot, T., & Dolan, Y. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Its effective use in agency settings. New York, NY: Haworth. Session Format for Solution-Focused Groups Solution-Focused Group Skeleton outline
External reviewers independently evaluate the intervention's Readiness for Dissemination
using three criteria: For more information about these criteria and the meaning of the ratings, see Readiness for Dissemination.
The book Solution-Focused Substance Abuse Treatment contains examples of dialogue from group sessions; these examples allow implementers to see how SFBT can be applied in a group setting, specifically with substance abusers. The Denver Center for Solution-Focused Brief Therapy offers the required on- or off-site training, first in SFBT and then in SFGT, as well as individual or group consultation. The Denver Center also can provide guidance specifically addressing evaluation. Few implementation, training, and quality assurance materials are available to directly support the use of SFGT with substance-abusing clients, though a wide range of materials are available for the broader individual therapy it is based on, SFBT. The materials do not address key implementation factors or provide guidance on using the intervention in an organizational setting. While training on SFGT is provided, no training manual or other materials to supplement PowerPoint slides are available to ensure high-quality, standardized training. A therapist fidelity tool is available, but it is specific to SFBT. The developer suggests that client outcomes be monitored through the accomplishment of goals in the treatment plan, but no specific instructions are provided to guide this process. It is unclear how data derived from client treatment plans can be used for program improvement.
The cost information below was provided by the developer. Although this cost information
may have been updated by the developer since the time of review, it may not reflect
the current costs or availability of items (including newly developed or discontinued
items). The implementation point of contact can provide current information and
discuss implementation requirements. Additional trainings at the Denver Center for Solution-Focused Brief Therapy are available. International certification specific to SFGT is also available through the Denver Center; the minimum number of consultation hours required for certification is 10 per 100 hours of practice.
Selected citations are presented below. An asterisk indicates that the document
was reviewed for Quality of Research. de Shazer, S., & Isebaert, L. The Bruges Model: A solution-focused approach to problem drinking. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 14, 43-52. Enea, V., & Dafinoiu, I. Motivational/solution-focused intervention for reducing school truancy among adolescents. Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies 9(2), 185-198. Knekt, P., Lindfors, O., Härkänen, T., Välikoski, M., Virtala, E., Laaksonen, M. A., et al. Randomized trial on the effectiveness of long- and short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and solution-focused therapy on psychiatric symptoms during a 3-year follow-up. Psychological Medicine 38(5), 689-703. Ko, M. J., Yu, S. J., & Kim, Y. G. The effects of solution-focused group counseling on the stress response and coping strategies in the delinquent juveniles. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 33(3), 440-450. Lamprecht, H., Laydon, C., McQuillan, C., Wiseman, S., Williams, L., Gash, A., et al. Single-session Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and self-harm: A pilot study. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 14(6), 601-602. Lindforss, L., & Magnusson, D. Solution-focused therapy in prison. Contemporary Family Therapy, 19(1), 89-103. McCollum, E. E., Stith, S. M., & Thomsen C. J. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in the conjoint couples treatment of intimate partner violence. In C. Franklin, T. S. Trepper, E. McCollum, & W. J. Gingerich (Eds.), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A handbook of evidence-based practice (pp. 183-195). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Panayotov, P. A., Strahilov, B. E., & Anichkina, A. Y. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and medication adherence with schizophrenic patients. In C. Franklin, T. S. Trepper, E. McCollum, & W. J. Gingerich (Eds.), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A handbook of evidence-based practice (pp. 196-202). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Wilmshurst, L. A. Treatment programs for youth with emotional and behavioral disorders: An outcome study of two alternate approaches. Mental Health Services Research, 4(2), 85-96.
Wiseman, S. Brief intervention: Reducing the repetition of deliberate self-harm. Nursing Times, 99(35), 34-36. Descriptive Information
Areas of Interest
Substance use disorder treatment
Outcomes
1: Depression
2: Psychosocial functioning
Outcome Categories
Mental health
Social functioning
Ages
18-25 (Young adult)
26-55 (Adult)
Genders
Male
Female
Races/Ethnicities
American Indian or Alaska Native
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
White
Settings
Outpatient
Geographic Locations
Urban
Implementation History
SFGT has been used at Jefferson County Public Health in Colorado, reaching more than 15,000 clients. SFGT offered by the Denver Center for Solution-Focused Brief Therapy has been implemented in Alaska, California, Colorado, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia as well as in Canada, England, Germany, Japan, and Korea.
NIH Funding/CER Studies
Partially/fully funded by National Institutes of Health: No
Evaluated in comparative effectiveness research studies: Yes
Adaptations
SFGT has been modified for use with various cultural groups, including African American, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American populations. The book Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Its Effective Use in Agency Settings has been translated into Chinese, French, and Japanese.
Adverse Effects
No adverse effects, concerns, or unintended consequences were identified by the developer.
IOM Prevention Categories
IOM prevention categories are not applicable.
Documents Reviewed
Study 1
Outcomes
Outcome 1: Depression
Description of Measures
Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a 21-item multiple-choice questionnaire. Each item presents statements relating to a symptom of depression, with each statement rated on a scale from 0 to 3. Total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores representing more severe depression.
Key Findings
Clients referred for substance abuse treatment were randomly assigned to a group receiving SFGT or one receiving a traditional problem-focused treatment. From pre- to posttest, both groups had improvement in BDI scores, but the improvement was only significant for the intervention group (p = .002). No statistically significant differences in BDI scores were found between the two groups.
Studies Measuring Outcome
Study 1
Study Designs
Experimental
Quality of Research Rating
2.0
(0.0-4.0 scale)
Outcome 2: Psychosocial functioning
Description of Measures
Psychosocial functioning was measured using the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45.2), a 45-item multiple-choice instrument that assesses functioning in three domains: symptom distress (primarily depression and anxiety), the quality of interpersonal relationships, and social role. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 to 4. Scores on each item are summed for a total score ranging from 0 to 180, with higher scores indicating greater dysfunction.
Key Findings
Clients referred for substance abuse treatment were randomly assigned to a group receiving SFGT or one receiving a traditional problem-focused treatment. From pre- to posttest, both groups had improvement in total Outcome Questionnaire scores, but the improvement was only significant for the intervention group (p = .002). No statistically significant differences in total Outcome Questionnaire scores were found between the two groups.
Studies Measuring Outcome
Study 1
Study Designs
Experimental
Quality of Research Rating
2.0
(0.0-4.0 scale)
Study Populations
Study
Age
Gender
Race/Ethnicity
Study 1
18-25 (Young adult)
26-55 (Adult)
78.9% Male
21.1% Female
44.7% White
28.9% Black or African American
21.1% Hispanic or Latino
5.3% American Indian or Alaska Native
Quality of Research Ratings by Criteria (0.0-4.0 scale)
Outcome
Reliability
of Measures
Validity
of Measures
Fidelity
Missing
Data/Attrition
Confounding
Variables
Data
Analysis
Overall
Rating
1: Depression
4.0
3.5
2.3
0.0
1.0
1.5
2.0
2: Psychosocial functioning
4.0
3.5
2.3
0.0
1.0
1.5
2.0
Study Strengths
Study Weaknesses
Materials Reviewed
Readiness for Dissemination Ratings by Criteria (0.0-4.0 scale)
Implementation
Materials
Training and Support
Resources
Quality Assurance
Procedures
Overall
Rating
1.8
1.5
1.0
1.4
Dissemination Strengths
Dissemination Weaknesses
Item Description
Cost
Required by Developer
Solution-Focused Substance Abuse Treatment (book)
$38 each
Yes
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Its Effective Use in Agency Settings (book)
$41 each
Yes
1- to 2-day, on-site training in SFBT or SFGT
$1,500 per day for up to 50 participants or $2,000 per day for 50-99 participants, plus travel expenses
Yes, one training option in SFBT and SFGT required
1- to 2-day, off-site SFBT training in Littleton, CO (several options available)
$150-$250 per person, depending on class selected, for up to 20 participants
Yes, one training option in SFBT and SFGT required
1-day, off-site SFGT training in Littleton, CO
$150 per person for up to 20 participants (group rate available)
Yes, one training option in SFBT and SFGT required
Phone or Skype consultation
$120 per hour for one participant or $200 per hour for two to six participants
Yes, one consultation option required
On-site group consultation
Yes, one consultation option required
Off-site group consultation in Littleton, CO
$50 per session, typically one session per month for 6 months
Yes, one consultation option required
Session Format for Solution-Focused Groups
Free
Yes
Solution-Focused Fidelity Instrument
Free
No
Additional Information