Keys to Solution in Brief Therapy

"Join de Shazer behind the on-way mirror for a fascinating journey into the land of brief therapy, where the emphasis is not on how problems arise, but on how to solve them. His case examples read like well-written detective novels, and his concept of skeleton key interventions is both provocative and promising. This is a book that is firmly grounded in the tradition of Milton Erickson, but that extends Ericksons work into new areas. Highly recommended." --Bill OHanlon, Editor, Milton H.Erickson Foundation Newsletter

"De Shazers work is testimony to simplicity and parsimony in the therapeutic art of addressing the complex. The authors sense of delight, curiosity, and utter respect for the human condition and peoples capacity for creative problem-solving resound in rich case examples, therapist repertoire, and team cooperation. This book presents a teachable model whose outer edges remain open, flexible, and inviting." --Evan Imber Coppersmith, Ph.D., University of Calgary

"De Shazer offers, among other things, an expansion of our horizons by an emphasis on solutions as counterweight to previous emphasis on the origins or the nature of problems, an expansion of ones vision of cooperation in therapy as contrasted to resistance, including ideas about how to work with those vague clients who are otherwise the bane of strategic therapists, and some seminal thoughts on formula interventions. These last, together with the recent work of Mara Selvini Palazzoli, may well mark an important new step." --John H. Weakland, Ch.E., Mental Research Institute, Palo Alto