Hudson Valley Solution-Focused Conversation: Building Solutions vs. Solving Problems

All attendees must register on the website, regardless of whether they are attending in person or online, and whether they are participating for CEs or non-CEs.

Webinar Registration In-Person Registration

📅 Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00AM-12:00PM EST
🌐 Hybrid: In-Person & Online (via Zoom)
Online registration is limited to 20 participants.
📍 Location: University at Albany, School of Social Welfare, Husted 210, 135 Western Ave, Albany, NY
🎙️ Speaker:

• Joel Simon, LCSW, ACSW, BCD
• Mark E. Lane, LCSW-R
• John W. O’Grady, LCSW
• Janelle Morehouse, LMSW
• A. Sydney Madden, LCSWR

📢 Earn 3.0 Continuing Education Credit Hours
(For licensed social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists.)

Pricing

• NASW-NYS or NASW-NYC Members: $45
• NASW Other Chapter Members: $75
• Non-Members: $90
• NASW-NYS Student & Transitional Members: Non-CE FREE
• Free to attend: Non-CE FREE

Discussion Description

Are you looking to enhance your skills in solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)? Join the Hudson Valley Solution-Focused Network (HVSFN) for an engaging discussion where participants will explore real-world case studies and practice solution-building techniques. This session will highlight how listening to client conversations about exceptions—times when problems do not occur—can open up new possibilities for change. Unlike problem-focused approaches, which can limit progress, SFBT encourages clients to recognize their strengths and build on what’s already working.

Since 2010, HVSFN has been facilitating discussions on evidence-based SFBT methods, offering a space for professionals to deepen their understanding of this effective approach. While this meeting is
designed for practitioners already familiar with solution-focused techniques, newcomers who are curious about the model are also welcome to join. The conversation will provide an opportunity to exchange insights, share experiences, and refine strategies for fostering positive change in client sessions.

Participation in the Hudson Valley Solution-Focused Network meetings is free, though a fee applies for those seeking continuing education units (CEUs). Registration is required to attend. To learn more about SFBT, check out this resource, and for additional insights, listen to our podcast here.

Learning Objectives

After the completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Co-construct a conversation about a better life with clients.&n
• Discuss the application of solution-focused therapy.
• Using practice examples, demonstrate how solution focus can be applied.

Sydney Madden, LCSW-R. Sydney earned her MSW from University at Albany in 1995, with post-masters training in attachment issues, trauma treatment, and solution-focused therapy. Sydney has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families for over 30 years, in community-based programs, home-based programs, health care, and private practice.

Joel Simon, LCSW, BCD, ACSW. Joel has been in clinical social work practice for over 40 years in a variety of both inpatient and outpatient settings.  He has been a solution-focused practitioner, trainer, presenter, and consultant since 1992.  Joel attended 3 advanced solution-focused trainings at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the home of solution-focused brief therapy.  He is a founding member of the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association and the recipient of the Steve de Shazer Memorial Award for “significant contributions to the field of solution-focused brief therapy over many years.”   Currently, Joel is in private practice, provides solution-focused training, supervision, and consultation.  Joel co-authored several articles on solution focus including two with Insoo Kim Berg, a co-developer of the model. Joel has authored and co-authored 4 books on solution-focused topics.  Please visit www.0to10.net for further information.

John O’Grady, LCSW. John W. O’Grady, LCSW, has been a therapist for 40 years. He practiced in a family counseling clinic for 18 years, gradually introducing Solution-Focused Therapy into his work with parents, youth, and families. In 2011 he opened a private practice in Albany, where he uses SF therapy to serve a wide range of clients.

Mark Lane, LCSW-R. Mark Lane is an experienced solution focused therapist with over 30 years of experience using and teaching solution focused therapy. He facilitates Hudson Valley Solution Focused quarterly meetings and has taught solution focused therapy at the Graduate School of Social Welfare at the State University of NY at Albany since 1996. He currently works in private practice specializing in group therapy and as a school social worker with Guilderland Schools and leans heavily on solution focused principles.

Janelle joins the HVSFN team helping out with tech and learning and practicing ways to integrate solution focused throughout her life and work. Janelle currently works for mobile crisis for the capital region, as well as the Employee Assistance Program for NYS. Before this, Janelle worked at the National Association of Social Workers-NYS chapter, coordinating trainings for social workers throughout the state. She also previously worked with the state at the SUNY Albany School of Social Welfare supporting their admissions and student services office. In her free time, Janelle enjoys dancing, music, playing frisbee, and spending time with friends and chosen family.