Bill O'Connell is a leading figure in the development of the Solution-Focused (SF) approach in the United Kingdom. He designed and led the first Masters degree in Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) offered in a British university – the University of Birmingham.

As one of the first SF practitioners to write from a British perspective, Bill is the author of the best seller Solution-Focused Therapy (1998/second edition 2005); Solution-Focused Stress Counselling (2001) and co-editor of The Handbook of Solution-Focused Therapy (2003).

Bill has contributed many chapters and articles on the Solution-Focused approach to well-known publications such as ‘Therapy,’ the Journal of the 'British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and books such as The Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

He has introduced thousands of people to SFT through his engaging and informative lecturing and training courses.

Bill has worked as a Solution-Focused therapist for many years and is a Fellow and Accredited Counsellor of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

He is a founder member of the United Kingdom Association for Solution-Focused Practice.

As the Director of Training for Focus on Solutions, Bill has a special interest in taking the approach out of the therapeutic arena and encouraging staff in many different areas of work to be solution-focused in their professional and personal lives.

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Steve Conlon was the co-director of the M.A. programme in Solution-Focused Therapy at the University of Birmingham. He has trained in SFT in England as well as in the United States. He taught SFT as part of the B.Sc. Hons. in Mental Health at the University of Central England.

Steve has delivered training to over 5,000 people in organisations ranging from the NHS, prisons, private psychiatric services, drug workers, outreach services, child and adolescent services, eating disorder services and family support units.

In addition to his training work, Steve works directly with young people and their support networks.

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Peter Creagh is a visiting lecturer on the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology course and MSc Counselling in Organisations course at the University of Wolverhampton. He has a wealth of experience in training and counselling.

He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and an Accredited Counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. He has practiced as a RELATE counsellor for many years. Peter also has experience as a counsellor in an inner city FE College.

Peter uses the Solution-Focused approach, both in his private counselling practice and in his couples counselling at RELATE. He also finds it invaluable in his supervision of therapists working in a variety of settings, including education; health; a women and childrens’ refuge and two voluntary organisations - one offering counselling to children and young people and the other to survivors of rape.

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Moira O'Connell was an accredited counsellor with BACP for several years. Moira developed her Solution-Focused practice as a primary care counsellor and a RELATE counsellor as well as in private practice. During her career she has worked in a number of fields, including counselling, the probation service and social work. She now manages Focus on Solutions full time.

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