Solution Focused Practice and Mental Health Crisis

'Mental health crisis is the daily lived reality of many people in the UK. Navigating our mental health systems can often be experienced as disempowering and dehumanising: a set of difficult hurdles for vulnerable and often stigmatised people. In my experience as a clinician, Solution Focused Practice provides an inclusive and person-centred model for improving the agency, instrumentality, and autonomy of people with mental health problems at points of crisis. Nick and his colleagues are to be commended for bringing together their expertise in this important new book. The book will be of enormous benefit to all practitioners working in crisis environments, and people/communities of colour, based on the clear elucidation of how a Solution Focused approach can support and strengthen anti-racist practice. This is based on the premise that all of society, not just people of colour, thrive when they can find their own solutions to challenges, devoid of the pernicious impact of racism and discrimination.'

Dr Tim Ojo is a senior consultant psychiatrist in the UK. He is also a qualified coach, leadership mentor, accredited mediator, and organisational consultant with over 12 years of experience in formal medical leadership

'There is a consensus that we are facing a crisis in Mental Health care. We need a societal and professional dialogue not just on the causes of this crisis but on what ideas and approaches may offer new ways of helping people who find themselves struggling with a mental health problem. This is particularly so for those who experience the 'rough' end of mental health care when they fall into a mental health crisis. ‘Solution Focused Practice and Mental Health Crisis – inclusive support towards safety and hope’ looks like exactly the type of book we need to assist in this most vital of tasks. In this book a number of contributors, coming from different professional backgrounds, will outline how Solution Focused Practice can inspire sensitive and creative ways to engage with those in crisis and explain how new directions leading to resolutions are available.'

Dr Sami Timimiis a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist in the NHS in Lincolnshire, UK. He writes from a critical psychiatry perspective and has written widely on subjects related to childhood, psychotherapy, depression, behavioural problems, and cross-cultural psychiatry

'Racialised communities may present with various inter-relational, health and socio-economic issues that they may struggle with during experiences of distress. Such issues may require practical solutions and specific knowledge. The use of Solution Focused Practice within the AMHP role (and by other professionals working in crisis environments) invites, with humility and respect, the exploration of issues in a gentle and curious way; that values strengths, unique internal resources; and instils hope. The approach provides opportunities to counteract some of the endemic systemic discrimination experienced in such situations. I hope the book will be read widely.'

Colleen Simonis currently the Head of Social Work and Social Care for Central & North West London Mental Health Trust, UK. Social worker; lecturer-practitioner on the Bournemouth University AMHP course; she is also an independent trainer

'In my career in the UK National Health Service, I have been convinced of the effectiveness of Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in benefitting both clients and clinicians to achieve a greater sense of wellbeing and agency in what they do. This is powerfully outlined by the contributors to this book, who come from a wide range of professional disciplines.

With rising numbers of people needing mental health services there needs to be an approach that provides a common language between the different practitioners involved in their care. I have attended countless multidisciplinary meetings and case conferences in an acute hospital setting which could have been transformed by the Solution Focused approach: where a positive outcome is facilitated through hopeful conversations focusing on the resources of the client, their cultural background, and unique perspective on a better future.

I believe this book demonstrates that change is happening, and that further possibilities will be generated by the authors’ descriptions of SFBT in mental health crisis.'

Kidge Burnsis an experienced Solution Focused practitioner who has worked in the NHS with a variety of clients, in different hospital settings. She is also a speech and language therapist; an accreditor for UKASFP; a supervisor and experienced author and trainer

'This book definitely needed writing. Each chapter addresses a most ‘frequently asked question’ about the Solution Focused approach and does so with convincing examples from everyday practice. It will be a standard reference for practitioners and trainers alike.'

Chris Ivesonworked as family therapist and social worker before he co-founded – together with Evan George and Harvey Ratner - the BRIEF therapy practice in London. The long-lasting co-operation with Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg and their many innovations in SFBT have made BRIEF a leading centre for the development and teaching of SF Brief Therapy and Coaching

'The application of ideas derived from Solution Focused Practice to mental health acute care is fast gaining ground, and there are many ideas in this publication which have obvious and immediate application. For me, the content about the use of the approach in the Mental Health Act interviewing process is a particularly valuable contribution; and the detailed examples of AMHP practice given by Nick Perry give us a very real picture of these ideas working at first hand. The challenge of applying such an approach where our liberty, as well as our wellbeing is on the line, is well brought out. I recommend the whole publication.'

John Mitchellhas practised as an Approved Mental Health Professional for many years and is an experienced AMHP manager. He is a regular contributor to The Critical AMHP Blog and co-authored the discussion paper: ‘MHA Assessments’ and s13(1) MHA. His AMHP practice is the subject of Chapter 18 of Horatio Clare’s Your Journey, Your Way (Penguin, 2024). Like Horatio, he has experience of being detained under the Mental Health Act