ABSTRACT
Using Solution Focused Brief Therapy with children is a good fit because children naturally think about the future rather than the past, are intrigued by the idea of miracles and wishes, and will happily focus on what they are doing right rather than what they are doing wrong. Therapy too often expects children to engage in adult conversation or ignores children because they are developmentally incapable of adult conversation. The tone set in Solution Focused play therapy (SFPT) is one in which therapists listen to children and parents in a way that orients towards solutions and uses play as a conversational tool. Activities and role play illuminate details about their unique ideal future. This is a developmentally rich way to give children a clear and compelling opportunity to describe and practice what will happen in their future. This chapter is rich with case examples of how to increase our noticing and following skills and how to use play as a conversational tool.
