Introducing solution-focussed brief therapy to mental health nurses across a local health district in Australia

Solution-focussed brief therapy (SFBT) can be applied to effectively address a broad range of mental health-, alcohol-, and substance-related challenges. The compatibility that SFBT has with mental health nursing practice has been widely recognized. The aim of the present mixed-methods study was to introduce and evaluate the utility of SFBT principles, strategies, and techniques to the clinical work of mental health nurses from a local health district in Sydney, Australia. Following a 4-hour introductory SFBT workshop, participants were invited to complete a one-page evaluation and undertake a follow-up individual telephone interview with a research assistant. Participants (n=65) were positive about the workshop content and recognized the potential benefits of SFBT in clinical practice. Interviewed participants (n=14) were enthusiastic about SFBT. However, they also identified that using SFBT was challenging, particularly as the approach was considered different to current practices in mental health services. A lack of confidence with incorporating SFBT in their clinical work was also acknowledged, and participants expressed interest in additional training, including more time to practise SFBT strategies and techniques. Widespread training for mental health nurses in SFBT is indicated, including opportunities for supervision and to observe SFBT being employed by experienced clinicians.