Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT):Foundations Part 2

Do you find yourself feeling stuck and wondering how to manage a situation or student? What do you do when a client replies with “I don’t know.”? How do you manage a student who says ‘Nothing is better.” Or “Everything is worse.”? Is the client stuck? Or are you stuck? What do you do? Are you willing to ‘think outside the box’ and engage in a different pathway to change management?

SFBT Foundations Part 2 provides the essential elements and process for conducting a follow up session utilzing the elegant questioning skills in SFBT. Follow up sessions differ from first session process in that the counselor is curious about what has improved or changed, even just a little bit, and building on the goal or desired outcome established in the first session.

Participants will be led through a review of the first session process and explore successes and examples of what has been tried in applying the first session protocol. The subsequent and follow up session process will be taught, step by step, including a demo followed by practice.

Through discussions and collecting experiences, different Client Patterns of Change will be identified. The Solution Focused Tool-Kit will be shared and participants will have the opportunity to practice different ways in which to manage this. The Relapse Prevention Plan will be discussed as a possible client Resilience Model, with opportunities for demo and practice

Format includes sharing information on powerpoint slides paired with a handout, small break-out sessions for practice, and viewing video clips.

• The SFBT follow-up process: E-A-R-S
  • E: elicit from the student what is better or different,
  • A: amplify and expand the changes
  • R: reinforce these changes and seek details
  • S: start again by exploring more of what is better or changed
• Applying solution building tools during EARS
  • Scaling Question
  • Coping Question
  • Relationship Question
  • Exception-Finding Questions
  • Evidence based Compliments
• Wrapping up the session
  • Explore different Client Patterns of Change and how to manage expectations
  • Review the Relapse Prevention Plan for ongoing success

Certification Pathway

If you’re interested in earning certification, Foundations 1 and 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 do we use Solution-Focused questioning to reinforce positive changes in follow-up sessions?
2. In challenging scenarios like 'I don't know' or extreme statements, how do we uncover progress and build on goals in follow-up sessions?
3. How can the E-A-R-S process and solution building tools support ongoing success in managing different Client Patterns of Change?

Participants will have knowledge about:

1. Different Client Patterns of Change when they return for sessions
2. Relapse Prevention Plan

Participants will be able to:

1. How to structure and apply E-A-R-S when students return for a follow up session
2. Use their “SF Tool Kit” in dealing with different client patterns of change
3. Apply the Relapse Prevention Plan to remind students of their capability
4. Expand the use an SF mindset and tools

Joe Cannon, M.A., MSFC, MSFT, PCC, USA

Joe Cannon brings doctoral-level training in psychology to a practice that integrates mind–body coaching, counseling, and leadership development through a Solution Focused lens.

In his private practice as a Life and Fitness Coach, Joe works with individuals, couples, and families. He serves as a Director, Associate Trainer, Supervisor, and Mentor Coach with the Academy of Solution Focused Training in its accredited coach-training programs, and is also an Associate Trainer with Kirsten Dierolf’s Solutions Academy in their ACTP programs.

Joe’s professional background spans a wide range of counseling and mental-health roles. Trained at the doctoral level in psychology, he has worked as a Psychological Examiner, Marriage and Family Therapist, and individual counselor across private, community, and faith-based settings. His experience includes work with substance abusers, juvenile offenders, and adults with severe and persistent mental illness. He previously managed a halfway house supporting clients as they transitioned to independent living.

A Certified Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Joe also brings a lifelong commitment to physical fitness. He is an instructor in Shuri Ryu Okinawan Karate and is trained in multiple bodywork modalities, including Thai Medical Massage, Soft Tissue Release, and Reiki.

Joe is a Master Solution Focused Practitioner with IASTI and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

ISCA Member Price: $460

Non-Member Price: $540

Dates and times of offerings

1. Option 7: Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 2026 @12:00PM to 4:00PM UTC (4 hours each day)
2. Option 8: Apr 19, 26, May 3 & 10, 2027 @12:00PM to 3:00PM UTC (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