International presentation — Solution-focused Brief Therapy in mental health contexts

News item posted 1 September 2006

Dr Alasdair MacDonald — psychiatrist in the south of England, a leading author of published research on Solution-focused Brief Therapy in adult psychiatric settings and a renowned presenter (in Europe) on applications of Solution-focused Brief Therapy in medical settings — presented a well-received workshop for the Brief Therapy Institute of Sydney in late August.

Alasdair's relaxed manner and teaching style was easy to follow and the days went far too quickly. I left with a new perspective to build on.

— Sue Kennedy, Nurse Practitioner, St George Hospital.

Most helpful was explanation of co-operation between anti-psychotic medication and Solution-focused therapy. Thank you so much for a great workshop, which left me with increased familiarity with the model.

— Will Buist, Private Practice, New Zealand.

The videos showed that Solution-focused Brief Therapy can be used to address a range of psychiatric problems using the same methodology — the particular label does not matter! I learned how to put the client in charge of the change!

— Marie McLennan, Personal Support Program, Work Directions Australia.

More than 35 people attended the first day of the two days (which made things just a little cramped!) as Alasdair reviewed the fundamentals of the Solution-focused approach, as it applied to mental health settings.

On the second day, 27 people explored in greater detail particular psychiatric conditions as Alasdair discussed BOTH the judicious use of medication AND the use of Solution-focused approaches. With lots of anecdotes and examples, Alasdair invited particiants to experiment with various of the ideas, including ways to build new futures with suicidal patients.

An enormous respect for people — and a willingness to engage with what WORKS for THEM (the man who said the voices were less when he held his mouth open, the patient who was able to function normally as long as he tied his shoe-laces together, resulting in his jumping everywhere on the ward (!) — were evident in Alasdair's accounts of Solution-focused work with people within psychiatric settings.

Alasdair has returned to the UK; however, the Brief Therapy Institute of Sydney can offer further information or training about the use of Solution-focused Therapy in Mental Health contexts. Michael Durrant is providing training to the Mental Health Service in Auckland, New Zealand, has been invited to be a keynote speaker at a Mental Health Nurses conference and has previously conducted a three-day workshop on Solution-focused Ideas in Psychiatric Settings in Singapore.