If you are interested in making your practice solution-focused quickly and effectively, look no further than this text. The authors, co-founders of the Brief Therapy Group, demystify the process of psychotherapy, making the concept of solution-based therapy accessible and relevant for newcomers to the field and for professionals seeking to apply SFBT principles in their own practices. The book s hands-on approach allows practitioners to adopt the authors' simple, self-teaching style and apply it to their work with clients. Practical information is included on:

• the differences between the solution-based approach and traditional therapy
• establishing a successful therapeutic alliance with clients
• determining detailed, meaningful goals for the client
• mapping the client s journey to a solution
• possible dead ends in applying this type of therapy
• and much more

As an academic textbook, it is ideal for individual study in a variety of courses, including social work, counseling, nursing, psychology, education, and any other helping professions.

If you are interested in making your practice solution-focused quickly and effectively, look no further than this text. The authors, co-founders of the Brief Therapy Group, demystify the process of psychotherapy, making the concept of solution-based therapy accessible and relevant for newcomers to the field and for professionals seeking to apply SFBT principles in their own practices. The book 's hands-on approach allows practitioners to adopt the authors' simple, self-teaching style and apply it to their work with clients. Practical information is included on:

• the differences between the solution-based approach and traditional therapy
• establishing a successful therapeutic alliance with clients
• determining detailed, meaningful goals for the client
• mapping the client 's journey to a solution
• possible dead ends in applying this type of therapy
• and much more

As an academic textbook, it is ideal for individual study in a variety of courses, including social work, counseling, nursing, psychology, education, and any other helping professions.

Raising a child brings many joys but also plenty of challenges! The ups and downs of parenting can push even the most resourceful parent to the limit. Written by established parenting author John Sharry and drawing on the ideas of the award-winning Parents Plus Programmes, Positive Parenting (a revised and updated edition of Bringing Up Responsible Children) aims to help parents raise emotionally secure, happy children who reach their full potential at home and at school. Targeted at parents of primary school age children, Positive Parenting provides a step-by-step guide to solving behaviour and other childhood problems including sibling rivalry, homework hassles, serious tantrums, bullying, poor self-esteem and anxiety.

`Solution-Focused Groupwork (2001) was a major contribution to the literature on groupwork. It has been one of this author's most influential books. The Second Edition contains much new material including the uses of 'problem talk', an activity normally avoided by solution-focused therapists. Preparation for groups, client motivation and collaboration are all explored in detail. The role of (or necessity for?) social time to be built into the therapy model is an interesting and novel idea. Suggestions are made for client evaluation and for creative exercises to enhance the group process. All in all, the result is a valuable and readable new edition' - Dr Alasdair J Macdonald `Enlightening, clearly written, and helpfully presented...The book echoes what Solution-Focused Groupwork is all about - being practical and optimistic about human potential' - David Jaques, Author of Learning in Groups `A fund of practical wisdom which will give confidence and encouragement to everyone trying to run groups along solution-focused lines' - Bill O'Connell, Focus on Solutions Limited, Birmingham `John Sharry has drawn on a combination of extensive experience in running groups and a thorough understanding of current developments to produce an inspiring and practical guide to this powerful way of helping people to change. I have recommended the first edition many times and have been sharing the good news of this new edition ever since I knew it was under way' - John Wheeler MA, UKCP Registered Family Therapist, Social Worker and Independent Trainer. `Sharry's book offers a persuasive alternative to traditional methods of group practice. The new edition enhances the applicability of an already major contribution to solution-focused practice. It is obviously written from a real practitioner who understands the process and elements of group work. He offers excellent case material throughout to help demonstrated the skills and values of this approach and does so in a readable and engaging manner suitable for students and professionals at all levels of expertise' - Professor Robert Blundo, Ph.D., LCSW, Strengths Collaborative, Department of Social Work, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC. U.S.A. `This slim tautly written volume disguises an enormously practical treasure store to help group facilitators. Solution-Focused Groupwork should be essential reading' - Barbara Wilson, Family Mediation in Practice Solution-Focused Groupwork, Second Edition is a highly practical guide for all professionals who use groups to help people. For those new to the solution-focused approach it provides a clear, step-by-step introduction, while for more experienced practitioners it presents ideas and techniques which can be readily integrated into existing practice. Using carefully selected case studies, John Sharry takes readers through the various stages in the therapeutic process, from getting started to the final session. He also provides: " creative exercises for use in practice, " guidance on evaluating the outcomes of group work and " a new model for group supervision. A real strength of the book is in showing practitioners how to create a constructive, positive and solution-focused group culture and how to maintain this culture in spite of the challenges, tensions and difficulties that naturally arise within groups. John Sharry is a Principal Social Worker in the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Mater Hospital, and part-time Director of the Brief Therapy Group (Private Practice and Consultancy).

I recommend this book to anyone who lives or works with families, children or teenagers' - "Nurturing Potential"

This is a valuable book, worth attention in every child and family service. My own agency has ordered a copy!' - "Robert Cumming, Nurturing Potential

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John Sharry's book is a jewel in the solution-focused literature. It is clearly and engagingly written, draws on a host of ideas from different therapeutic approaches and is packed with practical examples. There is no better book on strengths-based therapy with children and adolescents. Every team should have one' - "Chris Iveson, Brief Therapy Practice

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Counselling Children, Adolescents and Families describes an innovative approach to therapeutic work which builds on the strengths of children and their parents. As the author's experience shows, helping clients to focus on potential solutions rather than problems can be a powerful means of engaging them in the therapeutic process, even in the most conflicting family circumstances. Harnessing the client's personal, family and community resources in this way also helps counteract their feelings of powerlessness and the possibility of increasing reliance on professional services.

Part One outlines the basic principles of a solution-focused and strengths-based approach, tackling such thorny issues as how and when to use diagnosis. Part two describes creative applications of the approach, using groupwork, play-based activities and video feedback. Part Three, examines practical issues which arise in more 'difficult' cases, such as child abuse and suicidal teenagers and children.

This book is aimed at professionals and trainees in fields includingsocial work, mental health, childcare, education, psychotherapy and counselling.

Bringing up a pre-school child is both a rewarding and a daunting task and one that requires great patience and commitment. In 'Parenting Preschoolers and Young Children' you will find practical advice on how to deal with the very real difficulties of caring for young children. As well as offering helpful tips on how to stimulate a child intellectually in terms of improved concentration and language development, it also offers sound advice on handling behavioural problems like temper tantrums and co-operation issues. Emphasising an approach to parenthood that praises rather than chides 'Parenting Preschoolers and Young Children' is an accessible and indispensable guide for those dealing with young children.