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Solution Focused Practice

Solution Focused Practice takes a particular interest in what's working in people's lives, as opposed to what isn't. This information often helps people to work out how to change the parts of their lives that aren't running so well. The most specific definition of the approach is attributed to Steve deShazer and Insoo Kim Berg. Along with colleagues, in 1978, they established the Brief Therapy Centre in Milwaukee, US. (www.brief-therapy.org). From the outset they committed themselves to a combination of practice, training and research. By 1984 their publications spoke of a shift away from previous approaches, emphasising a solution-building rather than problem focused approach, and a recognition that service users could often create their own strategies for change. Several tools were found to operate like "skeleton keys", unlocking a process of problem resolution across a wide variety of difficulties.