Research on the Solution-Focused Approach in 2022: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Following an initiative started in the late ’90s by Dr Alasdair Macdonald, the European Brief Therapy Association (EBTA) continues to maintain and update a list of references to research and other relevant publications on the solution-focused approach. The current scoping review from the EBTA Research Task Group members aimed to identify trends in the methodology and results emerging from the latest research of the solution-focused practices added to the list. A total of 58 research articles published in 2022 were identified and reviewed for main trends in sample, study, intervention characteristics, and the main findings. Several trends in each of these aspects emerged from the data during the process of scoping review. Along with the summary of the main trends, related issues and questions important for practitioners, researchers, and the whole solution-focused community are discussed in the article. Finally, recommendations for future research are put forward to aid in providing answers to remaining questions relevant to the establishment of the solution-focused approach as an evidence-based practice.