Women’s Perspectives on the Solution Focused Approach: International Applications and Interventions

Edited by Anne-Marie Wulf and Jacqui Von Cziffra-Bergs, Routledge publishers, 2024. 194 Pages.

Reviewed by Susannah Stobart

What led me to read this book?

My interest was piqued during 2024, when posts on LinkedIn began introducing this book’s forthcoming publication. It was a novel idea: a book giving voice to nineteen women from across the globe, who use a Solution Focused approach within an extraordinarily diverse range of work settings.

Overview

The book is not only a wonderful opportunity to learn about the applications of SF Practice around the globe, but is also a story of collaboration within the SF community. Anne-Marie Wulf initially only connected with Jacqui Von Cziffra-Bergs to determine if she might be willing to deliver free training to an SF organisation in Russia. From a random email between two organisations sprung a friendship and the idea to co-create a book.

Each chapter follows a format, with the Solution Focused contributing practitioner answering the same eight questions, posed by the editors. The women authors have a chance to introduce themselves; consider whether their gender has influenced their work-life, and why they choose to work as a Solution Focused Practitioner; to share how they have made the approach their own, and which female practitioners have inspired them; and to offer support for other women using Solution Focus in their practice.

At the end of every chapter there is a dialogue between the editors which acts as a discussion and reflection on the author’s contribution, allowing specific sections that particularly resonate to be highlighted. It flows much like a book group chat, that will appeal to certain readers.

What did I gain from reading this book?

In one word: inspiration.

As a collection, it opened my eyes to the work being carried out in such different places. From within Mexican politics to supporting the LGBTQ+ community in the USA; and within male prisons in South Africa to developing SF practice in the New Zealand police force. I was so moved by several chapters that I chose to contact the author directly to share my appreciation for their work and the impact their writing had had on me.

The eight questions also gave me an opportunity to pause and reflect on my own SF journey, and to consider how the approach has become part of my DNA.

Final thoughts ….

As a book, it is probably one to dip into chapter by chapter, rather than read in one sitting. For those prone to self-reflection, it offers the chance to ponder the questions posed by both editors on one’s own use of the Solution Focused Approach. And finally — whilst it is written by women with an aim to inspire other women in the boundless nature of Solution Focused practice, I believe it would appeal to people of any gender.