Solution-Focused Classes for Other Professionals, Such as Religious Leaders from all Denominations, Supervisors, Managers, Etc., Who Work with Challenging People
Solution-Focused Basics Overview (0.5 day):
This abbreviated course is designed to introduce professionals who are not therapists to Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as it was originally developed by Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer. Professionals will learn how they can use this different way of thinking about problems and solutions to address customer needs and to effectively engage and de-escalate challenging people. They will practice these skills in a supervised setting. This course is specifically designed to ensure professionals can leave the classroom and effectively implement these skills with those with whom they work.
Upon completion of this course, professionals will be able to:
- Recognize the unique aspects of solution-focused philosophy and differentiate it from problem-focused models.
- Identify three concrete tools that would be most effective in their work setting that they can immediately begin to use with those with whom they work.
- Verbalize the effective use of the three tools they identify in number two above.
Instructor: Teri Pichot
Dates Offered:
- Sept 19, 2025 (8:30-12:30) This Class Date is Online - FULL
- Nov 14, 2025 (8:30-12:30) This Class Date is Online
- Jan 28, 2026 (8:30-12:30) This Class Date is Online
- April 24, 2026 (8:30-12:30) This Class Date is Online
Methods:
- Demonstrations: The instructor will demonstrate the purposeful use of solution-focused interventions. She will demonstrate how these interventions are used in a way that has the necessary clinical depth to effectively help the people work toward their goals.
- Role Plays: Participants will work with each other with the guidance of the instructor to practice the concepts discussed.
- Discussions: The instructor and participants will engage in meaningful conversations to explore what is working in the participants’ practice and to explore what will be different when the participants are even more effective with those with whom they work.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Basics (2 day):
This course is designed to introduce professionals who are not therapists to Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as it was originally developed by Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer. Professionals will understand how this approach is unique from other models, will learn the six SFBT interventions, and will practice these skills in a supervised setting. This course is specifically designed to ensure professionals can leave the classroom and effectively implement these skills with those with whom they work.
Upon completion of this course, professionals will be able to:
- Recognize the unique aspects of solution-focused philosophy and differentiate it from problem-focused models.
- Describe the six solution-focused interventions and the purpose of each.
- Identify five concrete tools that would be most effective in their work setting that they can immediately begin to use with those with whom they work.
- Demonstrate the effective use of the five tools they identify in number three above.
Instructor: Teri Pichot
Dates Offered:
- Aug. 18 & 19, 2025 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
- Oct. 21 & 22, 2025 (8:30-4:30) Littleton Training Center
- Dec. 8 & 9, 2025 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
- Jan. 26 & 27, 2026 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
- April 6 & 7, 2026 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
- June 15 & 16, 2026 (8:30-4:30) Littleton Training Center
Methods:
- Demonstrations: The instructor will demonstrate the purposeful use of solution-focused interventions. She will demonstrate how these interventions are used in a way that has the necessary clinical depth to effectively help the people work toward their goals.
- Role Plays: Participants will work with each other with the guidance of the instructor to practice the concepts discussed.
- Discussions: The instructor and participants will engage in meaningful conversations to explore what is working in the participants’ practice and to explore what will be different when the participants are even more effective with those with whom they work.
Using Solution-Focused Thinking to Help People Cope with Grief/Loss (0.5 day):
This course is designed to introduce professionals who are not therapists to solution-focused thinking as it was originally developed by Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer and teach them how to use these principles to effectively engage and help people who are dealing with loss and grief. Professionals will learn to identify signs of grief and gain the ability to effectively use questions and other solution-focused interventions to assist in the grief process. Professionals will learn protective factors and how to use solution-focused thinking to decrease potential long-term effects of grief and loss. This course is specifically designed to ensure professionals can leave the classroom and effectively implement these skills with those with whom they work.
Upon completion of this course, professionals will be able to:
- Recognize the unique aspects of solution-focused philosophy and differentiate it from problem-focused models.
- Understand how solution-focused thinking can be effectively used with people in order to increase hope and assist them through the grief process.
- Identify five concrete tools that would be most effective in their work setting that they can immediately begin to use with those with whom they work to increase hope and assist them through the grief process.
Instructor: Teri Pichot
Dates Offered:
- Sept 19, 2025 (1:30-5:30) This Class Date is Online
- Nov 14, 2025 (1:30-5:30) This Class Date is Online
- Jan 28, 2026 (1:30-5:30) This Class Date is Online
- April 24, 2026 (1:30-5:30) This Class Date is Online
Methods:
- Demonstrations: The instructor will demonstrate the purposeful use of solution-focused interventions. She will demonstrate how these interventions are used in a way that has the necessary clinical depth to effectively help the people work toward their goals.
- Role Plays: Participants will work with each other with the guidance of the instructor to practice the concepts discussed.
- Discussions: The instructor and participants will engage in meaningful conversations to explore what is working in the participants’ practice and to explore what will be different when the participants are even more effective with those with whom they work.
Protecting Professional Resiliency (AKA Using Solution-Focused Thinking to Prevent Burnout) (1 day):
This course is designed to introduce professionals who are not therapists to solution-focused thinking as it was originally developed by Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer and teach them how to use these principles to prevent and reverse professional burnout. Professionals will learn to identify signs of professional burnout and stress and develop an “emergency roadside repair kit” to assist them in preventing the potential negative impact. Professionals will learn protective factors and how to use solution-focused thinking to decrease and address potential stress in the work place.
Upon completion of this course, professionals will be able to:
- Recognize the unique aspects of solution-focused philosophy and differentiate it from problem-focused models.
- Recognize the signs of professional burnout and stress.
- Understand the role of the “emergency roadside repair kit” in preventing and reversing burnout.
- Gain the ability to use the “emergency roadside repair kit” to prevent and reverse burnout in the workplace.
Instructor: Teri Pichot
Dates Offered:
- Feb. 20, 2026 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
- April 9, 2026 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
- July 6, 2026 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
Methods:
- Demonstrations: The instructor will demonstrate the purposeful use of solution-focused interventions. She will demonstrate how these interventions are used in a way that has the necessary clinical depth to effectively help the people work toward their goals.
- Role Plays: Participants will work with each other with the guidance of the instructor to practice the concepts discussed.
- Discussions: The instructor and participants will engage in meaningful conversations to explore what is working in the participants’ practice and to explore what will be different when the participants are even more effective with those with whom they work.
Solution-Focused Animal-Assisted Brief Therapy (1 day):
This course is designed to introduce professionals who are not therapists to the concept of the human-animal bond and teach how animal-related conversations and interactions can help create positive change in those with whom they work. Professionals will understand how the physiological and psychological changes that an animal’s presence (including the thought of a family pet) brings can be used in motivating, calming, and teaching people. Professionals will learn how to incorporate people’s family pets into conversations and homework assignments that will bring the concepts to life. Standards of practice for training and using a therapy dog in client sessions will be reviewed as well.
Upon completion of this course, professionals will be able to:
- Recognize the traits that would make the person likely to benefit from animal-related interventions in the setting in which they work.
- Describe five physiological and/or psychological benefits animals can have on humans.
- Identify three ways in which animal-assisted conversations and interventions would be most effective in their work setting.
- Gain the ability to effectively implement the strategies identified in number three above with those with whom they work.
Instructor: Teri Pichot
Dates Offered:
- Dec. 15, 2025 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
Methods:
- Demonstrations: The instructor will demonstrate the purposeful use of solution-focused interventions. She will demonstrate how these interventions are used in a way that has the necessary clinical depth to effectively help the people work toward their goals.
- Role Plays: Participants will work with each other with the guidance of the instructor to practice the concepts discussed.
- Discussions: The instructor and participants will engage in meaningful conversations to explore what is working in the participants’ practice and to explore what will be different when the participants are even more effective with those with whom they work.
Solution-Focused Supervision and Management (1 day):
This course is designed to introduce professionals who are not therapists to solution-focused thinking as it was originally developed by Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer and teach them how to use these principles to motivate staff and effectively lead others. Skills will be taught to effectively address challenging work-place behaviors. Basic agency culture and creating team/program safety will also be reviewed. Lastly, paperwork and dealing with governing agencies will be explored.
Upon completion of this course, professionals will be able to:
- Recognize the unique aspects of solution-focused philosophy and differentiate it from problem-focused models.
- Identify five concrete tools that would be most effective in their work setting that they can immediately begin to use with their supervisees and peers.
- Verbalize the effective use of the five tools they identify in number two above.
Instructor: Teri Pichot
Dates Offered:
- Oct. 23, 2025 (8:30-4:30) Littleton Training Center
- Dec. 10, 2025 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
- Mar. 2, 2026 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
- May 14, 2026 (8:30-4:30) This Class Date is Online
Methods:
- Demonstrations: The instructor will demonstrate the purposeful use of solution-focused interventions. She will demonstrate how these interventions are used in a way that has the necessary clinical depth to effectively help the people work toward their goals.
- Role Plays: Participants will work with each other with the guidance of the instructor to practice the concepts discussed.
- Discussions: The instructor and participants will engage in meaningful conversations to explore what is working in the participants’ practice and to explore what will be different when the participants are even more effective with those with whom they work.