A solution-focused interview model believes the most important task of an assessment is to motivate the offender and his/her family to do something about the situation that brought court contact. Problem-focused assessments labor to identify and understand the problem in great detail as a necessary prelude before taking action. A solution-focused approach is more direct and efficient as it views assessment as intervention, not a preliminary exercise. Problem-focused interviews, with a primary emphasis on problems and failures, can leave an offender and family feeling more overwhelmed and less able to take action. Focusing on strengths and what offenders can do or have been successful in achieving increases optimism, confidence, and hope that life can improve. This article discusses how solution- focused interviewing directs juveniles toward goal setting and also presents the content and discusses the rationale for various types of solution-focused questions. 16 references