Upcoming Townhall
SFBTA Town Hall & Legacy Panel: SF in Conversation: Connecting Generations with What Works on Wednesday, September 9, 2026
We're excited to invite you to our next SFBTA Town Hall & Legacy Panel, featuring some of the most influential voices in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
Topic: SF in Conversation: Connecting Generations with What Works
When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: Members Town Hall: 11:00 AM EST | Legacy Panel: 11:30 AM EST (Open to Members & Non-Members)
Where: Online
About the Moderator
Haesun Moon
Dr. Haesun Moon is a globally recognized leader in Solution-Focused Brief Coaching and Leadership Development. A Thinkers50 shortlisted thought leader, she serves as Director of the Canadian Centre for Brief Coaching and Chief of Research at the Human Learning Institute. She is the author of Coaching A to Z and has advanced coaching practice worldwide through her research, teaching, publications, and keynote presentations.
Meet the Legacy Panelists
Peter De Jong
Peter De Jong is co-author of Interviewing for Solutions with Insoo Kim Berg and is an emeritus professor of sociology and social work. A former adjunct at the Brief Family Therapy Center, where SFBT was pioneered, he has trained professionals worldwide and currently focuses on using microanalysis to enhance the teaching and supervision of Solution-Focused practice.
Mo Yee Lee
Dr. Mo Yee Lee is Professor and PhD Program Director at The Ohio State University and serves on the SFBTA Board of Directors. A past recipient of the Insoo Kim Berg Award, her research centers on solution-focused, strengths-based, and body-mind-spirit approaches to mental health while actively partnering with agencies and communities to improve services.
Cynthia Franklin
Dr. Cynthia Franklin is the Stiernberg/Spencer Family Professor in Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin and one of the world's leading Solution-Focused researchers. With more than 200 scholarly publications, her work has been instrumental in establishing the evidence base for SFBT across schools, mental health, and community settings.
Mark McKergow
Dr. Mark McKergow is Director of the Centre for Solutions Focus at Work in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Solution Focused Practices. An internationally recognized author and consultant, he has helped shape the application of Solution Focus in organizations through his books and the founding of the SOLWorld community.
Guy Shennan
Guy Shennan is a solution-focused consultant, trainer, and former social worker in the United Kingdom. A long-time contributor to the international SFBT community, he previously worked with BRIEF, has authored several books on Solution-Focused practice, and continues to promote Solution Focus in social work and community settings.
Joel Simon
Joel Simon has practiced clinical social work for more than four decades and has provided Solution-Focused Brief Therapy training since 1992. A founding member of SFBTA and recipient of the Steve de Shazer Memorial Award, he trained directly with Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg and has authored multiple books and publications on Solution-Focused practice.
Anne Bodmer Lutz
Dr. Anne Bodmer Lutz is Executive Director of the Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy and has trained directly with Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg. A physician, educator, and author, she has spent more than 30 years advancing Solution-Focused practice through training, consultation, research, and workforce development across healthcare, education, and behavioral health.
Past Town Hall & Training
ReflAct Master Class
Astrid Dobmeier & Veronika Sweet
We’re thrilled to invite you to our next Town Hall + Training event featuring the renowned Astrid Dobmeier & Veronika Sweet!
Topic: ReflAct Master class
When: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDT
Where: Online | Exclusive to SFBTA Members
About Astrid Dobmeier
Systemic reflection architectures and transformation support, team coaching, coaching and systemic therapy. Instructor for systemic coaching and systemic supervision (DGSF), associate professor for systemic counselling and coaching, systemic research, editor of the online portal on self-reflection DeSelfie, www.deselfie.de. Multiple award-winning teaching together with Dr Sweet. Lives and practices on-site near Munich in her practice and forest-garden as well as online globally. Shares her life with her partner, two sons of 18 and 20 and her cat.
About Veronika Sweet
Veronika develops systemic design of change processes through individual coaching, team formats and at the organizational level. She specializes in intercultural and international-multilingual settings. Veronika is an instructor for systemic coaching and systemic supervision (DGSF), an associate professor for systemic counselling and coaching, and initiator of research with a systemic approach. She is a multiple award-winning teacher, together with Dr Astrid Dobmeier. Veronika lives in an intercultural family with a ten-year-old son. She practices in Munich and online globally. She often learns a bout her German culture thanks to her Canadian husband’s perspective.
Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Schools
Linda Metcalf, M.Ed., Ph.D., CSC, LPC, LMFT
We are honored to feature Linda Metcalf, M.Ed., Ph.D., CSC, LPC, LMFT, a leading author, professor, and global trainer in Solution Focused practices. Linda has written eleven books and co-authored two more, bringing decades of experience in counseling, education, and leadership.
She is currently a Professor in the Graduate Counseling Program at Texas Wesleyan University and the founder of Solution Focused Schools Unlimited, LLC. A TEDx presenter and international workshop leader, Linda is also the creator of Solution Focused Narrative Therapy, an integrated approach blending postmodern models to support clients navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, and more.
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDT
Location: Online | SFBTA Members Only
This session explores an innovative way to lead effective and systemic, student-teacher conversations, improve classroom management by enlisting students to help, enhance Response to Intervention (RTI) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) meetings by inviting the student to the meeting, and engage even the most "passionate parents" through solution-focused conversations. Learn practical strategies to help students create their own solutions—building responsibility, resilience, and success. The solution focused climate in schools can facilitate an atmosphere of inclusion and engagement, leading to safer schools and more motivated educators.
Some additional resources from Linda:
What Does It Mean To be "Not Knowing"?
by Teri Pichot, LCSW, LAC, MACF
We were honored to feature Teri Pichot, LCSW, LAC, MAC, an internationally recognized clinician, trainer, and author. Teri brings over 35 years of experience working with complex cases, including individuals struggling with substance misuse, chronic mental illness, and domestic violence.
She is the founder of the Denver Center for Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and has trained professionals around the world to apply this evidence-based model with effectiveness and compassion. Teri has published five books and numerous articles—translated into Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Mandarin, and French—helping expand the global reach of SFBT.
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Location: Online | SFBTA Members Only
This session explored how the “Not Knowing” stance can open space for client agency, collaboration, and transformative therapeutic change.
Balancing Practice-Based Evidence Ideas and Intuition in Solution-Focused Coaching.
by Naomi Whitehead
We were honored to feature Naomi Whitehead, IASTI, EMCC SP, ICF PCC, a Solution-Focused Practitioner. She works online, in Sheffield, across the UK, and internationally, as a Solution-Focused coach, trainer, mentor, educator and community interest company director. Naomi's background is in working with and coordinating services for adults and young people facing multiple and complex challenges, e.g., homelessness, those involved in the criminal justice system, substance misuse. She also manages voluntary sector projects. Naomi brings a structured yet playful, curious and deeply respectful stance to all her work.
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Location: Online | SFBTA Members Only
This workshop explored practice-based evidence ideas and intuition in solution-focused coaching. How, if, and when, does the interplay between these influences impact the way we co-construct possibilities, hope, desired outcomes and amplification of existing skills in our sessions? Naomi shared her fascinations on this topic, and invited participants to do the same - to celebrate, build on and consider our existing and future practice.
Relationspaces Power Bursts
by Tara Gretton and Vicky Essebag
We were honored to feature Vicky Essebag and Tara Gretton for their session called "Relationspaces Power Bursts". 'Relationspaces’ is a metaphor for the intentional space we create in relationships to bring out the best in ourselves and others. Using Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) principles, individuals engage in strength-based conversations about preferred futures and agency. Tara Gretton and Vicky Essebag created Power Bursts—short reflections inspired by quotes from Vicky’s book Relationspaces; A Solution-Focused Handbook for Parents.
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Location: Online | SFBTA Members Only
This interactive session invited participants to explore what works in their own relationspaces and how to act on their best hopes for effective, inclusive relationships. It provided a practical and reflective space to apply SF ideas to everyday connections.
About Vicky
Vicky Essebag is a relational communication specialist and President-Elect of SFBTA. With a strong background in education and family therapy, she champions Solution-Focused Communication in schools, families, and organizations. Vicky is the founder of Relationspaces, and is known for creating inclusive, compassionate learning environments as a leader, speaker, and coach.
About Tara
Tara Gretton is a registered social worker, accredited SF practitioner, and international trainer specializing in work with children, families, and schools. She brings a relational lens to her coaching and consulting, helping people build on what works to create lasting, meaningful change. Tara’s practice is rooted in community, connection, and sustainable solutions.
