Maarit Pietiläinen (Finland)

Solution-Focused Psychotherapist, MHSc
Clinical Specialist in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Care • Advanced Solution-Focused Practitioner (IASTI) • Registered Psychiatric Nurse • Bachelor of Culture and Arts

Maarit’s therapeutic framework combines solution-focused psychotherapy and trauma psychotherapy. She is currently enrolled in a two-year trainer education programme (2025–2027) at the University of Eastern Finland, preparing to become a trainer of solution-focused psychotherapists. In addition, she is undertaking a two-year programme in solution-focused supervision and a one-year advanced training programme in clinical hypnotherapy.

Workshop

In the Footsteps of Milton H. Erickson – Using Teaching Stories with Clients
Friday, April 2nd, 2027

This workshop explores how teaching stories, metaphors and indirect communication can be used to facilitate change in therapy. Drawing inspiration from the work of Milton H. Erickson, participants will discover how carefully chosen stories can help clients access resources, develop new perspectives and move forward in ways that feel natural and respectful.

James Beauchemin (USA)

Associate Professor of Social Work, PhD, LCSW.

Working as a professor at Boise State University, James earned his PhD from Ohio State University and his Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Vermont. His primary research interests include wellness promotion, integrated mind-body-spirit interventions, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.

James is both a researcher and practitioner of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and serves on the Research Committee of the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Association (SFBTA). His recent publications include studies on digital solution-focused wellness interventions for college students and solution-focused wellness groups for graduate students.

His expertise in health and wellness-related behaviour change has led to collaborations beyond academia, including serving as a Subject Matter Expert for the American Council on Exercise and providing wellness-focused training for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Workshop

Solution-Focused Wellness (SFW): An Evidence-Based Approach for Healthy Lifestyle Change among College Students

Friday, April 2nd, 2027

This workshop introduces Solution-Focused Wellness (SFW), an evidence-based approach that integrates solution-focused principles with contemporary wellness research. Participants will explore practical strategies for promoting healthy lifestyle change, strengthening resilience, and enhancing social wellness among college students. Drawing on recent research and real-world applications, the workshop offers tools that can be adapted for educational, counselling, and mental health settings.

Ayse Adil (United Kingdom)

Co-Founder and CEO, Family Based Solutions
Solution-Focused Practitioner, Trainer and Author

Ayse Adil is the Co-Founder and CEO of Family Based Solutions, a UK charity established in 2012 to support families affected by domestic abuse, child-to-parent abuse, and complex family relationships.

Ayse is a Solution-Focused practitioner, trainer, and author with extensive experience working alongside children, young people, parents, and professionals. Her work focuses on moving beyond blame and labels, creating conversations that help people reconnect with their strengths, hopes, and possibilities.

Together with Joe Lettieri, Ayse developed Family Based Solutions’ innovative approach to child-to-parent abuse, supporting families to rebuild safety, trust, and connection. Their work has gained international recognition, and they have delivered Solution-Focused training throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Ayse is co-author of the Routledge publication Understanding Child to Parent Abuse: Recovery through Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. She is passionate about sharing real practice experiences and exploring how Solution-Focused approaches can create meaningful change, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Workshop:

Friday, April 2nd, 2027

Finding the Voice Within: Using Solution Focused Silent Sessions to Break Intergenerational Cycles of Abuse

What happens when clients struggle to find words, feel overwhelmed by shame, fear, or hopelessness, or believe that change is impossible?

In this experiential workshop, Ayse Adil and Joe Lettieri introduce their innovative Solution-Focused approach to working with families affected by domestic abuse, child-to-parent abuse, and complex relational trauma. Drawing on real-life case examples and video material, they demonstrate how silence, visualisation, and carefully crafted Solution-Focused conversations can create opportunities for reflection, self-discovery, and change.

Participants will explore how practitioners can respond when clients say “I don’t know,” feel stuck, or have lost trust in their own voice. The workshop challenges traditional assumptions about resistance and invites attendees to discover how curiosity, presence, and silence can help restore hope, dignity, and possibility.

This workshop offers practical ideas and powerful insights for therapists, counsellors, social workers, educators, and anyone interested in supporting change when words alone are not enough.

Joseph Lettieri (United Kingdom)

BEM (British Empire Medal) , Co-Founder & CEO, Family Based Solutions (UK)
Solution-Focused Practitioner, Trainer & Author

Joe is a Solution-Focused practitioner, trainer, and author with extensive experience supporting children, young people, parents, and professionals. His work is grounded in creating respectful, collaborative conversations that help people recognise their strengths, build resilience, and discover pathways towards positive change.

Together with Ayse Adil, Joe developed Family Based Solutions’ innovative approach to child-to-parent abuse, helping families restore safety, trust, and stronger relationships. Their work has received international recognition, including an award from the European Brief Therapy Association (EBTA) for innovative practice, and they have delivered training across the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Joe was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to families affected by domestic abuse. He is also co-author of the Routledge publication Understanding Child to Parent Abuse: Recovery through Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Joe is passionate about demonstrating how Solution-Focused practice can bring hope, dignity, and lasting change to families facing some of life’s most complex

Workshop

Friday, April 2nd, 2027

Finding the Voice Within: Using Solution Focused Silent Sessions to Break Intergenerational Cycles of Abuse

What happens when clients struggle to find words, feel overwhelmed by shame, fear, or hopelessness, or believe that change is impossible?

In this experiential workshop, Ayse Adil and Joe Lettieri introduce their innovative Solution-Focused approach to working with families affected by domestic abuse, child-to-parent abuse, and complex relational trauma. Drawing on real-life case examples and video material, they demonstrate how silence, visualisation, and carefully crafted Solution-Focused conversations can create opportunities for reflection, self-discovery, and change.

Participants will explore how practitioners can respond when clients say “I don’t know,” feel stuck, or have lost trust in their own voice. The workshop challenges traditional assumptions about resistance and invites attendees to discover how curiosity, presence, and silence can help restore hope, dignity, and possibility.

This workshop offers practical ideas and powerful insights for therapists, counsellors, social workers, educators, and anyone interested in supporting change when words alone are not enough.

Monte Bobele (USA)

Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Our Lady of the Lake University (USA)
Psychologist, Educator & Pioneer of Single-Session Therapy

Monte Bobele is a licensed psychologist, educator, and internationally recognized pioneer of single-session therapy. Over more than three decades, he has helped transform mental health services by demonstrating how one well-conducted conversation can create meaningful and lasting change. Together with Arnie Slive, he co-founded Single-Session Solutions and co-edited the influential book When One Hour Is All You Have. Monte has taught and consulted internationally, inspiring professionals to make high-quality, solution-focused care more accessible, effective, and immediately available.

Keynote Address

Friday, April 2nd, 2027

“When One Hour is All You Have”

In this keynote, Dr. Monte Bobele explores how solution-focused practice and single-session therapy naturally complement one another. Combining over 30 years of clinical experience with current research and compelling real-world examples, he illustrates how one conversation can become a complete and transformative therapeutic encounter. Participants will discover why single-session thinking is changing mental health services around the world and how adopting this mindset can strengthen solution-focused conversations, promote client agency, and improve access to timely, effective care.

Gesa Döringer (GER/NL)

Occupational Therapist, Solution-Focused Therapist,Trainer & Creator of The Mindsetter Game

Gesa is an occupational therapist, Solution-Focused therapist, trainer, and published author. She combines experiential learning, gamification, and Solution Focus to create engaging spaces where people learn, connect, and grow. In 2023, she developed The Mindsetter Game, now available in six languages and played in more than 30 countries across healthcare, education, coaching, and organizations.

Workshop

Friday April 2nd, 2027

From Play to Possibility: The Mindsetter Game

What happens when people sit down to play? Meaningful conversations emerge, vulnerability becomes a source of strength, and new possibilities unfold. In this interactive workshop, Gesa shares insights from the global journey of The Mindsetter Game and invites participants to experience it firsthand. Participants will discover how combining gamification with Solution Focus creates safe, engaging spaces for reflection, collaboration, and change. Through play, they will explore practical ways to deepen conversations, strengthen agency, and bring the power of playful co-creation into their own practice.

Ben Furman (FIN)

Psychiatrist, psychotherapist, Solution-Focused Trainer & Author

Ben Furman is a psychiatrist, internationally renowned Solution-Focused trainer, and senior teacher at Furman Consultancy in Helsinki. He is the author of numerous books and has spent decades developing practical, creative approaches that help people overcome psychological difficulties and build more satisfying lives.

Keynote Address

Saturday, April 3rd 2027

Addressing the Effects of Trauma and Other Mental Health Problems Using Imagination Techniques
Re-writing the Past, Creating the Future

How can imagination become a powerful therapeutic resource? In this keynote, Ben Furman explores the use of imagination techniques to help people address the effects of trauma and other mental health problems. Drawing on many years of clinical practice and teaching, he demonstrates how clients can benefit not only from creating preferred futures but also from imaginatively re-writing aspects of the past. Through practical examples and therapeutic principles, participants will discover how imagination can open new possibilities for healing, resilience, and lasting change.

Lisa Rene Reynolds (USA)

Assistant Director of Faculty, MA, PhD, LMFT, Online Master’s Program in Marriage and Family Therapy, The Family Institute at Northwestern University (Chicago, Illinois)

Based on her book Creative Play in Family Therapy: Effective Strategies and Interventions for Child-Centered Treatment (Routledge, 2025), Dr. Lisa Rene Reynolds explores how playful interventions can be effectively integrated into Solution-Focused Therapy with children and families. Participants will discover creative, hands-on strategies that maintain the core principles of the solution-focused approach while making therapy engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable.

Workshop

Friday, April 2nd 2027

Creative Play for Children and Families Using Solution-Focused Therapy

This workshop is intended for therapists, counsellors, coaches, social workers, educators, and other professionals working with children and families.

Through demonstrations and interactive exercises using simple props, attendees will experience practical interventions that can be applied in therapy, schools, day-care settings, and family work. Participants will also create their own playful therapeutic tool to take home and use in practice.