Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) is a goal-orientated, evidence-based therapy that focuses on solutions, not problems. It’s based on the idea that we already have the skills and resources to improve our lives. Instead of dwelling on past difficulties, SFT helps to create positive change by looking at what’s working, identifying strengths and setting achievable goals. For the neurodivergent community – those with ADHD, autism and learning differences – this strengths-based approach is a breath of fresh air in a mental health space that is often problem-focused.
A Shift from Problems to Possibilities
Traditional therapy models often centre around exploring the origins of problems and clients having to revisit difficult experiences. While understanding trauma or dysfunction is important, many individuals – especially the neurodivergent community – can feel overwhelmed by the focus on deficits. Solution-focused therapy shifts the focus from what’s “wrong” to what’s possible.
This solution-focused technique aligns with the neurodivergent experience as many individuals are used to societal narratives that highlight their struggles, not their strengths. By inviting clients to explore their successes and imagine their preferred future SFT helps to restore a sense of control and hope.
The Core Principles of Solution-Focused Therapy
Focus on Solutions Not Problems:Instead of exploring why a problem exists the therapist and client work together to identify small, achievable steps towards the client’s desired outcome. For example, if a neurodivergent client struggles with managing deadlines at work the focus would be on identifying strategies that have worked, even in small ways, and building on those successes.
Client as the Expert:In SFT the therapist believes the client is the expert of their own life. The therapist’s role is to facilitate conversations that reveal the client’s strengths, insights and solutions. This is particularly empowering for neurodivergent individuals who have felt unheard or misunderstood in other contexts. SFT provides space for their lived experience to guide the process.
Small Steps Lead to Big Change:Instead of overwhelming clients with major behavioural overhauls SFT focuses on incremental progress. For those with executive functioning challenges (common in ADHD and autism), even small achievements can build towards bigger changes. Celebrating these small wins helps clients feel validated and motivated.
Strengths-Based Conversations:SFT seeks to uncover and amplify a client’s existing strengths. Whether it’s a creative way of thinking, a unique coping strategy or persistence in the face of adversity, recognising these strengths changes the narrative from one of deficiency to one of capability.
A Practical Approach for Neurodivergent Individuals
Solution-focused therapy is particularly useful for neurodivergent individuals because it’s solution-focused not requirement-based. For example, someone with ADHD might struggle with time management but through SFT they could discover that working in short-timed bursts (like the Pomodoro technique) is a solution that suits their brain’s natural rhythm.
And it’s flexible and non-prescriptive. Clients can co-create goals that match their values and preferences rather than trying to fit into neurotypical expectations. This flexibility helps reduce the shame or frustration neurodivergent people feel when they’re forced to meet societal standards that don’t match their abilities or needs.
How a Session of Solution-Focused Therapy Looks
A SFT session starts by exploring what the client wants to achieve. The therapist might ask, “What would be different in your life if this problem was solved?” or “What does your best day look like?”. These questions help the client to imagine their desired future and identify small, practical steps to move towards it.
The therapist may also use scaling questions to track progress. For example, the client might be asked, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how’s your anxiety this week?” If the client rates their anxiety at 5, the therapist might ask, “What would it take to move from a 5 to a 4?” These small steps give encouragement and make progress feel achievable.
Benefits of SFT for Neurodivergent Individuals
Reduces Therapy Burnout:
For people with autism or ADHD, focusing too much on problems can be draining and demotivating. SFT is a breath of fresh air by focusing on progress and potential, reducing the emotional exhaustion that comes with traditional therapy.
Validates Unique Strengths:
People with neurodiversity are different thinkers, but they have good problem-solving capabilities, focus and tenacity. Such strengths are usually left unexplored in the resentful view of the obsolete deficit-based models, whereas SFT challenges the client to focus on positive aspects.
Encourages Self-Compassion:
In this way, SFT provides goal-related activities with a sense of accomplishment by dividing goals into small portions. Every victory is recognised, including small ones, to diminish self-pity and the self-loathing scripts typical in neurodivergent individuals.
Promotes Independence and Autonomy:
This is actually the case because the clients are perceived to be the best authorities in their own lives, so SFT encourages them to be self-reliant. It also assists individuals with neurological differences to come up with determinations that are in tune with the values system, instead of bowing to the system’s pressure.
Encourages Self-Compassion:
Due to the identification of goals down to small achievable milestones, SFT enhances the accomplishment of achievements. Every small goal is celebrated and the self-identity of neurodivergent individuals is not shrouded in pessimistic self-talk that so many experience.
Promotes Independence and Autonomy:
The principle by which SFT operates also encourages independence as clients are seen as the best authorities in their lives. Such an approach provides neurodivergent subjects with a sense of independence and allows for active decision-making instead of seeking approval.
From Challenges to Possibilities…
Solution-focused therapy is a potent form of therapy that aims at evoking change by focusing on the future and strengths. For neurodivergent people, this means acknowledgement of their differences, support for using their strengths to succeed, and useful advice on how to do it. For this reason, SFT is helpful in decreasing the emotional cost of change and enables clients to reclaim their lives by focusing only on what works and on doing more of it. Whether it is dealing with everyday life schedules, relationships or living in a neurotypical world, Solution-Focused Therapy offers direction on how to achieve worthwhile change.
If you are neurodivergent and searching for a therapy model that values your strengths and offers actionable steps toward your goals, Solution-Focused Therapy could be an excellent fit. Rather than focusing on what’s wrong, this approach celebrates everything that makes you uniquely capable of thriving.
At Luna Psychotherapy, we believe in the power of choice! Whether you’re interested in IFS, EFIT, or Solution-Focused Therapy, we’re here to support you. Contact us today to explore your options and begin your transformative journey!
Comments