How One Solution-Focused Exercise Can Open the Way for Effective Treatment
This session is ideal for professionals seeking to integrate creative and reflective solution-focused techniques into their practice. This includes social workers, psychologists, counselors, and therapists. This information may also be useful to educators, medical professionals, and individuals interested in creative, reflective tools for goal-setting and personal development.
Solution-focused practice is a hope-oriented, collaborative approach that positions individuals and groups as the experts in their own lives. Widely recognized for its effectiveness across a range of settings—including mental health, education, and coaching—solution-focused practice empowers individuals to build on their existing skills and resources, fostering rapid and sustainable progress toward their goals. By focusing on solutions rather than problems, this approach encourages positive change, enhances motivation, and supports improved communication and collaboration.
In this interactive webinar, Tara Gretton introduces a simple, creative pencil-and-paper exercise designed to help participants reflect on their hopes for the future while highlighting existing strengths and resources. This exercise is especially effective at the start of treatment or when clients feel stuck, providing a fresh perspective and renewed momentum.
Tara demonstrates how to ask gentle, curious solution-focused questions that give clients control over the conversation and encourage active participation. She emphasizes the importance of choice, permission, and creative reflection in fostering a comfortable environment where participants can quietly consider their goals, envision positive change, and share insights when ready.
By the end of the webinar, attendees will be equipped to use the featured exercise and will have an introductory understanding of the core principles of solution-focused brief therapy. Participants will leave with practical ideas and inspiration to begin exploring solution-focused techniques in their work, supporting clients to identify solutions, amplify what is working, and build on their strengths.
Who's Presenting
Tara Gretton
Tara Gretton is a Social Work England-registered social worker, graduating from the University of Bath in 2004, and an accredited (IASTI) solution-focused practitioner, coach, consultant and trainer.
As an international trainer, thought leader, and coach, she specialises in solution-focused practice, working directly with children, young people, and families in education and private practice to amplify their voices and create meaningful change.
Tara’s work is rooted in relational practices, recognising the power of strong connections in communities, social care, education, and leadership. She provides individual, family and leadership coaching, supporting individuals, families and teams to build on what works and create sustainable solutions.
She also supervises social work students and solution focused practitioners, helping them develop solution-focused skills and effective engagement strategies with young people. In collaboration with schools, she develops mental health strategies that prioritise well-being and long-term outcomes.
As an international trainer, Tara delivers workshops that inspire professionals to adopt a solution-focused way of thinking. Additionally, as a reviewer for the solution-focused journal, she critically engages with emerging ideas, contributing to professional discourse and continuous learning.