First Session Formula Task — BRIEF Therapy

A universal first-session task from de Shazer: a skeleton key for initiating change. The client is asked to observe what is already good in life and what they would like to continue, rather than monitoring the problem. Research reported that many clients came to the second session with positive events noticed after the first meeting. The task activates resource-focused attention and sets a solution orientation from the beginning.

Step-by-step guide

Near the end of the first session, pause for reflection.
Offer the task: "Between now and next time, notice what happens in your life that you would like to continue."
Do not overexplain; keep the wording open.
At the next session, ask first: "What did you notice?"
Use the answers as material for further work: instances and resources are already present.

When to use

At the end of a first session.
When the direction of work is not yet clear.
When the client is completely focused on the problem.
As a way to give responsibility for noticing back to the client.

Key phrases

Before we meet again, I ask you to do one thing: notice what happens in your life that you would like to continue. You do not have to write it down; just be attentive to it.

Follow-up questions

Do not look for anything special. Simply notice what happens that you would like to keep.

Small or ordinary things count, as long as you would like them to continue.

Alternative phrasings

Until next time, simply notice the good. What would you like to continue in your life?

Sometimes something important happens during the week and we miss it. Pay attention to what you like.

Warnings

⚠️ Do not explain the task too much; overexplaining makes the client prepare artificially.
⚠️ Do not overload the first session with other tasks.
⚠️ If the client notices nothing, that also becomes material for therapy.

Source: de Shazer & Molnar, 1984; de Shazer, 1985