This article examines the efficacy and practical applications of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in teletherapy settings for clients experiencing suicidal ideation. The authors argue that SFBT’s strengths-based, future-oriented framework is well-suited to remote crisis interventions, allowing therapists to build on clients’ resilience, resources, and personal agency. By leveraging techniques such as the “miracle question” and scaling questions, the article provides a structured approach to assessing safety, fostering hope, and setting actionable goals. Through clinical examples, the article illustrates how SFBT can address the unique challenges of telehealth, such as the perceived loss of control over the physical environment, while promoting a supportive therapeutic alliance.
This course is based on the reading-based online article, Solution Focused Brief Therapy Telemental Health Suicide Intervention created by Benjamin T. Finlayson et al in 2021.
Publication Date
Contemporary Family Therapy Aug 2021
Course Material Authors
Course Material Authors authored the material only, and were not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.
Benjamin T. Finlayson
Dr. Benjamin T. Finlayson is a faculty member in the Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences at Texas Tech University. He has a background in mental health interventions and crisis counseling. This is his first work published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Ethan Jones
Dr. Ethan Jones is an assistant professor at Texas Tech University and has research experience in teletherapy methods and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. This is his first work published in a peer-reviewed journal
Barbara McMillan, BA, MS, EdD, LPC has 35 years of experience as a therapist, clinical director, and administrator in mental health and substance abuse programs. She holds degrees in psychology and education, and has been a licensed professional counselor and supervising counselor for many years. After 18 years in various roles in private and public mental health settings, she became a full-time college psychology and sociology instructor.
Recommended For
Counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists and social workers. This course is appropriate for all levels of knowledge.
Course Objectives:
After taking this course, you should be able to:
Identify core techniques of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy that are effective in remote crisis intervention with clients experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Evaluate the potential of SFBT as a tool for strengthening clients' agency and resilience in teletherapy settings.
Apply SFBT techniques, such as scaling and the miracle question, to assess safety and facilitate goal setting in telemental health sessions.
Availability
This course is available starting Feb 6th, 2025 and expires Feb 5th, 2035
Disclosure to Learners
Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships
CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited
Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity –
including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial
relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).
The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and
the reviewer:
Planners and Reviewers
The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.
Material Authors
Any relevant financial disclosures for course material authors can be found in the article.
Course Creator
Barbara F. McMillan, LPC – No relevant financial relationships.
Commercial support
There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.
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