Center for Solution-Focused Training
 
Therapist training, supervision, organizationalconsultation, and therapy

Joel K. Simon, LCSW, ACSW, BCD




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Solution-Focused Therapist Training

 

Upcoming Trainings:

CHI Professional Development: Intro, Level 1 & Level 2 Trinings.
Information and registration

New York State National Association of Social Workers
Level 1 training
Information and Registration

The Focus of Soluton Focus Therapist Training is on the Practical:

    * How to use pre-change questions
    * How to use future questions
    * How to use the miracle question.
    * How to use exception qustions.
    * How to make numbers work  using
           scaling.
    * How to use coping questions.
    * How to develop compliments.
    * How to develop  between session
            suggestions.
    * How to apply SF to your clients.
    * How to think like a solution-builder

"You clearly understand the what and WHY of solution- focused therapy and have a knack for conveying what you know. More importantly, you understand how and why clients are both competent and valuable. You convey this with an authenticity and conviction."



Explaining the Logo

On top of the page, you will see the Center for Solution-Focused Training logo There are some models of therapy that focus on emotions as the agent of change.  Others focus on actions and still others on thoughts.  I view all three as part of a system of change. If one changes, then the others will change as well.  It is this idea that expands therapy to include all three: actions, feelings and thoughts. Change begins when any one of these three changes to make a difference. This is where solution-building happens.



A Letter


"I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, and ever since that day, life was never the same. No one really cared about who I was until the diagnosis. The next thing I know, all the kids who bullied me in school are nicer to me, and the family has been on my nerves ever since."

[click to read more]




What is Solution-Focused Therapy?

The basic ideas for solution-focus brief therapy began over 30 years ago.  Steve de Shazer became interested in what people do that help them find solutions to the problems that brought them into his office.  This was a very different way of thinking about therapy (it still is).   De Shazer learned to ask useful questions and these questions helped the client think in more positive and useful ways about their predicaments...

[click to read more]


How to find a Solution-Focused Therapist

This video is about differentiating between therapists who claim they are solution-focused and those that truly are.

 

 

 

Introducing Joel

  • A solution-focused therapist, trainer, supervisor, and organizational consultant with over 40 years of  post-graduate experience and 30 years as a solution-focused clinician and trainer.
  • A frequent presenter of solution-focused practice at conferences.
  • Co-author of articles on solution-focus published in professional journals including two with Insoo Kim Berg, a co-developer of the solution-focused approach. (see resume).
  • A founding member of the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Association (www.sfbta.org).
  • Completed Advanced Methods Training In Solution-focused Brief Therapy, and Advanced Supervision Training in Solution-focused Therapy with the co-developers, Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer, at the Brief Family Therapy Center, the home of Solution-Focus in Milwaukee Wisconsin.  
  • Completed and certified in advanced training in Ericksonian Hypnotherapy with The New York Milton H. Ericksonian Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis.
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD), and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).  

 


Click to find out more.


For further information about training, click "Training" above.  For further information about me, see "About Joel" above. 

Contact Joel


Privacy Statement

 

 Solution Focus Network Meetings

A group of  people interested in and practicing solution focus has been meeting monthly in Albany, NY. since 2010. Meetings are informal and have included discussions, case consultations, and video/discussion. Meetings are free; CEU's are available through the New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers for a fee.

Upcoming 2024 HVSFN Dates:

1/27, 4/12, 7/13, 10/5

Discussion topics to be announced.

All meetings are from 9am to 12 noon.
Meetings are hybrid

The topic of the meeting is When Clients Want to Vent: The Cooperation Principle and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

If you want more information about the meetings, visit NASW-NYS's continuing ed. webpage. For more information about the Hudson Valley Solution Focus Networ, visit the Network page.


Books Authored by Joel :

  book%5B1%5D.gif
Solution-Focused Brief Practice with Long-Term Clients in Mental Health Services.

book2.jpg
Solution-Focused Practice in End-of-Life and Grief Counseling

Solution-Focused Case Management

Opportunities in Solution-Focused Interviewing

[Click on any book for further information or to order]


                Joel in Japan

In July, 2016, I spent several days as a trainer in Japan. Click here for a slideshow (pictures by Yuichi Takenouchi).

 

Announcing the Next SFBTA Conference

The 2023 conference will be held October 20-21. Joel will be leading a pre-conference SF 101 workshop on the 19th. Information can be found at the association's website.
  

Article


In 1999, I pubished an article co-authored with Insoo Kim Berg entitled Solution-Focused Brief Therapy with Long-Term Problems.  The article outlined the basics of solution-focused brief practice and its specific application to working with those who have been diagnosed with serious mental illness. Since the article is no longer available for purchase, I have made it available for download here.  

[click to download]

 

 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists

AAMFT held their 2014 annual conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They had designated Friday of the conference as a tribute day to both Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg. I had been invited to present at the conference. In part, the invitation stated: "Your work and excellent reputation will provide an immense benefit to the program."

 





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