Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Community-Based Services: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Purpose: Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is practiced by social workers in clinical, community-based services, but no reviews of the outcome research have been completed. Methods: A meta-analysis of randomized studies. Outcome domains included depression, anxiety, behavioral health, health and wellbeing, family functioning, and psychosocial adjustment. Results: Twenty-eight studies with 340 effect sizes were analyzed in meta-regression with robust variation estimation (RVE). Overall, statistically significant and medium treatment effect sizes were found across outcome domains, g = 0.654, 95% CI: 0.386-0.922, p < 0.001. Interventions with 4 or more SFBT techniques across three categories (cooperative language, co-construction, and developing a therapeutic relationship; strengths and resources; and future-focused questions) showed a moderate treatment effect. Implications: SFBT is an effective intervention for depression, behavioral health, family functioning, and psychosocial outcomes when delivered in community-based services.