Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for magnetic resonance thermometry. In one embodiment, a preliminary balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP) magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence is applied to an area of interest of a subject. Based on bSSFP image phases, a relationship between frequency and image phase associated with the area of interest can be determined and a bSSFP magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence applied for temperature change measurement during and/or after focused energy is applied to the subject. Based on image phase change associated with temperature change and using the determined relationship between frequency and image phase, a change in the resonance frequency associated with the target area due to the application of the focused energy can be determined, and the temperature change can be determined based on the determined change in the resonance frequency.