Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Depression Among Adolescents and Young Adults Diagnosed With Cancer: An Open Pilot Trial

Abstract

Purpose This pilot study evaluates the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) for depression, anxiety, and hope among adolescent and young adult (AYA) diagnosed with cancer. Method: 10 AYAs with a primary sarcoma diagnosis participated in an open pilot of SFBT for their depression between January and June 2019 delivered by trained social work interns. Results All participants completed four planned sessions and reported strong acceptability of SFBT. Statistically significant improvements were observed for pre- and post-treatment scores for depression, anxiety, and levels of hope. These improvements were maintained at 1-month follow up, with significant patterns of difference in study participants’ depression, anxiety, and levels of hope over time. Conclusions SFBT is an acceptable intervention approach for depression (and anxiety) among AYAs diagnosed with cancer. SFBT offers a brief, strength-based, and hope-engendering approach to address mental health concerns among young adult diagnosed with cancer.

A Clinical Case Study of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Young Adult Cancer Patients’ Psychological Distress: Focusing on Positive Emotions

“…The treatment started with a 4-session SFBT intervention protocol that has been evaluated and validated in previously published clinical trials (Zhang, Ji, et al, 2021;Zhang, 2022). SFBT is one of the briefest psychotherapies, with studies showing an average of 3-4 sessions to create positive change (Franklin et al, 2012).…”