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Like most new social workers at the time, I graduated with a basic knowledge of psycho-dynamic psychotherapy. 30 years ago that was the state of the art. However, by nature, I tend to be practical and I was convinced that there had to be a more effective and efficient way of holding useful conversations. It was this need to find something more practical that first interested me in Transactional Analysis. I began to study TA in the early 1980's with Dr. Harris and Ilka Peck at their Consultation Center. Both were master therapists, and I learned useful techniques that enhanced my effectiveness. Interestingly, I was finding that those techniques were added to others that I had learned from supervisors, and trainers. It finally occurred to me that good practice did not arise from theories, but from the effective interventions that I was learning. About mid-way in my 5 years association with the Consultation Center, Ilka handed me a book strongly suggesting that I read it. The book, Strategies of Psychotherapy by Jay Haley, was to move me in a different direction. Haley wrote about the ideas of Dr. Milton H. Erickson, a psychiatrist most known for his pioneering work in hypnotherapy. I eagerly sought out other books and information about and by Dr. Erickson. Here was an approach based upon, as Erickson stated it, "observation and utilization." In 1991, I began my formal training in Ericksonian hypnotherapy with the New York Milton Erickson Society (NYSEPH). I was in the midst of that process when I was invited to attend a 5 day training on something called, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. As the days went by, I become more and more excited about the possibilities. Here was an approach that not only pushed me in the direction I was already moving, but had the potential to be effective and simple. At the time, I was the director of a small mental health clinic in Orange County, N.Y. I presented the ideas to the clinic staff and there was an interest in trying the ideas out. So, we began seeing clients using SFBT; sometimes using an observing team. At the time we had no mirror, so I brought my video camera from home. While the interview was taking place in one office, the team crowded around in an adjacent office. We were very impressed with the results and this encouraged us to continue learning and practicing more. About 6 months after my initial training, I learned about Dan Gallagher and contacted him. He was surprised that someone else was practicing SFBT in the area and agreed to meet with me. In that first meeting, we talked for a considerable time about our mutual experiences (of course he had much more than I) and Dan even agreed to stay and participate in a team. I convinced the agency to hire Dan as our SF consultant. While the agreement was a 2 hour consultation once a month, Dan was often in our program sitting in on teams much more often on his own time and expense. In December 1994, the agency I was working for took over operation of a county mental health clinic. I was asked to become director of that program. Given that the facility already had a one-way mirror and that there was an agreement that this could be a SF based clinic, it didn’t take much convincing. In 1999, I joined with Dan and another colleague, Janet Campbell and together we formed the Center for Solutions. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we were forced to close CFS. I continue to practice, teach and supervise using the solution-focused approach. I wait for the future to see what will be the new opportunities and possibilities. Throughout the past 18 years, my enthusiasm and interest in SF continues to grow. After 1000's of hours of client conversations both in front and behind the mirror, I can see the empirical evidence that SF works! TOP
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