A new analysis from the American Journal of Family Therapy named The University of Texas at Austin as the best research institution for solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) and Cynthia Franklin, Ph.D., LCSW-S, LMFT, as the top SBFT researcher in the world.
In SFBT interventions, therapists work with their client to envision a preferred future, examine the current situation, and identify achievable goals in managing their future. The philosophy behind SFBT is predicated on the idea that individuals can become entangled in unresolved past conflicts when they concentrate on past and present problems rather than future solutions.
Dr. Franklin, who serves as the Stiernberg/Spencer Family Professor in Mental Health at Texas Social Work, was identified in the article as “the most productive author in SFBT research,” with a total of 28 publications, 668 citations, and a 28-h index on her peer-reviewed research. The analysis said Dr. Franklin “has dedicated her career to promoting the practice of SFBT and enhancing research in the field, with a focus on supporting children, adolescents, and educators in school settings.”
Two of Dr. Franklin’s mentees, Texas Social Work graduates Johnny Kim (Ph.D. 2006) and Anao Zhang (Ph.D. 2018), were listed as the No. 2 and No. 3 SFBT researchers, respectively. Dr. Kim is a professor at the University of Denver and Dr. Zhang is an associate professor at the University of Michigan. Dr. Zhang is also a member of the Texas Social Work Alumni Association Board.
“The research we do at Texas Social Work is research of the first order, and this well-deserved recognition for Cynthia Franklin is another strong testament to how our professors, students, and alumni contribute to life-changing work,” said Allan Cole, dean of Texas Social Work. “Professor Franklin is an exceptional researcher, teacher, and leader in our school who helps others grow, whether in social work practice, research, or education. Indeed, our school – and the world – is better because of the innovative research she leads.”
The University of Texas at Austin was determined to produce the highest number of SFBT research related documents (n = 37) and was the most heavily cited institution (n = 768) related to the topic.
“It’s an honor to be recognized as a leader in SFBT research, but it’s an even greater honor to see my former students be recognized right along with me as well,” said Dr. Franklin. “This innovative therapy is scientifically sound and has tangible results for young people. The research we undertake in school settings and mental health matters, and the findings we discover on the Forty Acres truly do change the world.”
The analysis, entitled “Mapping the Landscape of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A Bibliometric Analysis” was based on the Scopus database for SFBT research and used bibliometric analysis. The database is one of the world’s largest abstract and citation databases of scientific literature, with more than 90 million content records catalogued in its archives.