Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT):Foundations Part 1

Do you find yourself feeling stuck and wondering how to manage a situation or student? Do you feel you have tried everything and nothing seems to make a difference? Are you willing to engage in some experiments in dealing with tricky situations? Are you willing to ‘think outside the box’ and engage in a different pathway to change management?

SFBT Foundations Part 1 provides essential elements for understanding the origins, history, development, philosophy, key assumptions, and the basic structure for conducting a first session process in SFBT.

SFBT is known for its elegant use of questions and the unique way these questions are formulated. SFBT is an evidence-based practice with robust research. The most successful application of SFBT has been in the educational sector, in school counseling and classroom management.

Participants will be led through the solution building process, step by step. Each step includes sharing content, application of SF-oriented questions, followed by a demo and practice.

The format includes sharing information on powerpoint slides paired with a manual, small and big group discussions, practice and watching video clips.

The SFBT process involves:

1. Rapport building and creating trust and safety with students: (the ‘who’)
2. Co-constructing the desired outcome: establishing ownership and customership with students (the ‘what’)
3. Application of solution building tools
4. Miracle Question
5. Scaling Question
6. Coping Question
7. Relationship Question
8. Exception-Finding Questions
9. Evidence based Compliments
10. Wrapping up the session

Certification Pathway

If you’re interested in earning certification, this module can be applied.

Certification: “Certified Solution Focused Practitioner”

Requirements, Total 50 hrs

1. Module 1: Foundations 1, (12 hrs)
2. Module 2: Foundations 2, (12 hrs)
3. Module 3: Microskills in SF, (12 hrs)
4. Supervision (3 hrs)+Assessment (1 hr) +Self study (10 hrs)

**Upon successful completion of the full 50 hours, participants will earn: "Certified Solution Focused Practitioner” certification, from Academy of Solution Focused Training, Accredited by IASTI.

Audience

The relevance of this course extends to anyone involved in the care, education, support and services for students in the educational environment: learning support staff; counselors; administration, etc. This course not only teaches specific skills used in a counseling setting, it also shares a philosophy and mindset that creates a cohesive approach that can be embodied throughout the school environment, that maximizes the academic and social-emotional growth of students. The core SF mindset is based on mutual respect, collaboration and belief in the competence and ability of each person.

ISCA Student Standards

This course will support you in providing strategies for your students to be able to:

1. Raise awareness in themselves and their social environment by exploring attitudes and behaviors to manage and cope successfully (Competency SE: A1: 1-13)
2. Process and explore relationship issues as they emerge to enhance the student’s ability to manage them effectively (Competency SE: A2: 1 - 8)
3. Increase their confidence in working through challenging situations and be able to resolve them independently or know when to seek outside support (SE: B1, 1 – 6)
4. Raise awareness regarding signs of safety and risky situations regarding self and others and be able to openly discuss and process (SE: C1: 2-10)
5. Identify, discuss and process attitudes and behaviors that create challenges related to cultural issues (GP: A1:9)

ASCA Professional Standards and Ethical Standards and Practices

This course is aligned to the following school counselor standards and competencies:

1. This course supports the Mindsets and beliefs represented in M 1 – 7 which are in alignment with the SF Core Assumptions taught in this course
2. This course is aligned with the Behaviors demonstrated in by the following by addressing these areas during the course:
3. 1. B-PF 1: Apply development learning, counseling and educational theories
   2. B-PF 4: Apply school counseling standards and competencies
   3. B-PG 6: Demonstrates understanding of cultural, social and environmental influences.
   4. B-SS 3: Provide short-term counselling in small group and individual settings
   5. B-SS 4: Make appropriate referrals
   6. B-SS 6: Collaborate with families, teachers, etc

Essential Questions

1. How does understanding the history and philosophy of SFBT enhance its effective application in education?
2. How do unique solution-focused questions in SFBT contribute to better communication in educational settings?
3. How can the step-by-step solution building process be practically applied to address challenges in education?
4. How can school counselors adapt solution-focused techniques to address diverse student populations and unique challenges within a school setting?

Participants will have knowledge about:

1. The origins and roots of Solution Focused thinking
2. The mindset and philosophy of SF and why it is so radical
3. The key Assumptions of SF
4. The basic framework for the first session process

Participants will be able to:

1. Use solution focused brief therapy in a real counseling situation with students
2. Differentiate between problem solving and solution focused practice
3. Expand the application of SF to a wider context within their school environment, ie with parents, peers and management.
4. Adopt solution focused thinking in personal situations
5. Adopt solution focused thinking as a framework for day-to-day challenges and dilemmas

Baijesh Ramesh

Baijesh Ramesh is a Clinical Psychologist (M.Sc., M.Phil.) and Organizational Consultant based in India with an extensive global practice spanning mental health, education, and organizational development. He serves as Psychologist and Mental Health Advisor at Minerva University, supporting a diverse global student body, and brings experience across hospital, community, school, and university settings worldwide.

Baijesh serves as an accredited trainer with the Academy of Solution Focused Training, Singapore, recognized by the Canadian Council of Professional Certification (CCPC) and the International Alliance of Solution Focused Teaching Institutes (IASTI), and holds credentials as a Master Solution Focused Practitioner and Clinical Supervisor. He has partnered with local and international schools to deliver supervision and professional development for counselors, teachers, and educational leaders, focusing on Solution Focused Approaches, psychological safety, and crisis response frameworks.

In his consulting practice, Baijesh provides psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and specialized training to individuals and organizations globally, with particular expertise in telehealth delivery, cross-cultural contexts, and culturally responsive interventions. A passionate advocate for strengths-based and pragmatic approaches, he designs mental health support systems, delivers leadership and coaching programs, and develops strategic crisis response protocols for institutions navigating complex challenges.

Outside of work, Baijesh enjoys movies, poetry, cooking, and traveling. He is married to his best friend and embraces the joys of parenthood with their two daughters.

ISCA Member Price: $460

Non-Member Price: $540

Dates and times of offerings

1. Option 7: June 23, 25 and 30, 2026 @9:00AM to 1:00PM UTC (4 hours each day)
2. Option 8: Oct 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2026 @6:00AM to9:00AM (3 hours each day)

Contact Hours: 12 hours

Time commitment between sessions: 1 hour

Required Resource(s):

Recommended Reading

1. Interviewing for Solutions, Insoo Kim Berg & Peter De Jong
2. Solution Focused Practice in Asia, Debbie Hogan, Dave Hogan, Jane Tuomola and Alan Yeo