Scaling Questions — Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

A translation of abstract states into concrete numbers (0–10). It creates a "therapeutic tension" — a visible difference between "now" and "the desired". It allows even micro-movement to be measured (from 4 to 4.5 — that is a victory).

Step-by-step guide

Introduce the scale: "I want to ask about progress. Imagine a scale from 0 to 10"
Explain the poles: "0 is the worst moment [of what was described], and 10 is your life after the miracle [from the Miracle Question]"
Ask the main question: "Where are you now?"
After the answer (important!): "Why are you at [N] and not lower?" (a question about resources)
Develop: "What keeps you from sliding one point lower?"
Micro-movement: "What will be different when you are at [N+1]?"
The "good enough" point: "What number would be good enough for you?"
In a follow-up session: "Where are you now? How did you get there?"

When to use

After the description of the problem and the desired future
To measure progress between sessions
The client says "It will never change" — ask "Why not 0?" (it will reveal resources)
A client in depression (says "1") — coping questions on the basis of the scale
The client seems to be at 10 — maybe therapy is not needed?

Key phrases

On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst moment and 10 is your life after the miracle (where everything is sorted), where are you now?

Why are you at [N] and not at 0? What is holding you?

What helps you stay at this level?

Follow-up questions

What will be different when you are at [N+1]?

Where would your [husband/mother/colleague] put you on this scale? Why exactly there?

Alternative phrasings

Motivation scale: 0 — not motivated to act at all, 10 — ready to change, full motivation. Question: "What is your motivation to take steps?"

Confidence scale: 0 — not at all sure you can, 10 — full confidence. Question: "How confident are you that you can do this?"

Safety scale (for trauma, violence): 0 — not at all safe, 10 — fully safe. Question: "How safe do you feel?"

Relationship scale: 0 — the relationship is not at all settled, 10 — the relationship is exactly as you want. Question: "Where do you see this relationship?"

Warnings

⚠️ At 0 or 1 — do not give advice right away. Coping: "How do you manage to keep going day after day?" (uncover hidden resources)
⚠️ At 10 — the client may be ready to end therapy. Ask: "What tells you that you are at 10? How did you achieve this?"
⚠️ Does not want a number — do not insist. The scale is a tool, not an obligation
⚠️ The scale is not necessary in SOS — if there is little time (close to the end of the session), it can be skipped

Source: de Shazer, Berg, a classical tool of BFTC