John Sharry – författare

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

`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

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 including social work, mental health, childcare, education, psychotherapy and counselling.

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

`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

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 including social work, mental health, childcare, education, psychotherapy and counselling.

`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).

`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).