"What would be some of the first clues they let you know your problem is solved?". The therapist also asks questions that focus on looking at previous solutions or "exceptions" to the problem. In SFBT, "Exceptions" in SFBT are the times that the problem is smaller or is coped with better and SFBT believes that every problem has exceptions. Finding exceptions helps build solutions by helping find what is working in the clients' lives. By finding and amplifying minor exceptions to the problem, they explore what is already working and orient the client to do more of what already is working. When looking for exceptions, the practitioner does not try to convince the client that the exceptions are significant. That would go against the SFBT stance that sees the clients as the expert of their life. Instead, the therapist maintains a genuine, curious stance and asks the client to tell them how they interpret the significance of the exception. The therapist needs to maintain a not-knowing stance which can be challenging for emerging SFBT practitioners. One tool that SFBT practitioners use to help find exceptions is to start sessions (other than the first) with the question "What's been better since we last talked?". This question reframes the client's perspective to look for exceptions, i.e., the areas that are better. Another tool practitioners use is "scaling questions." A scale is used to measure where the client rates themselves in achieving their goal. They are then asked what they notice is working that makes them rate themselves as they do and not lower. They also are asked for details about the times when the problem is less. Then, "how are you doing it?" or "how did you do it?". Exceptions can also take the form of coping, so a SFBT practitioner can ask "coping questions" to find exceptions. For example, "It sounds like a lot is going on… how are you managing?". When a client identifies behaviors that work for them, they are encouraged to continue those behaviors. With SFBT, the session is very structured. There is a particular way to conduct a session, and there are formulated interviewing techniques used. However, practitioners report that fidelity to the philosophy is more important than fidelity to the techniques. A SFBT practitioner has to carry several assumptions to carry into the session to truly and effectively engage in authentic SFBT practice. One core SFBT