PARENTS PLUS BOOKS
Each of the Parents Plus Programmes has an associated book for parents which contains more expanded information. There are also a number of professional books, particularly Solution-Focused Groupwork that describe that therapeutic model underpinning the approach.
Becoming a Solution Detective A Strengths-Based Guide to Brief Therapy
JOHN SHARRY, BRENDAN MADDEN AND MELISSA DARMODY
Encouraging the reader to become a 'solution-detective' and to look for 'clues' to success in their own practice, this is a practical and accessible guide for therapists, counsellors and other professionals interested in making their practice solution focused and effective in a short time frame. Drawing on the insights of solution-focused therapy (SFT) and other strengths based therapies, the book is full of case examples, exercises and role plays, designed to build on your strengths as a practitioner. Becoming a Solution Detective is ideal for individual study and for use on courses in a wide range of fields including social work, counselling, therapy, psychology and nursing.
The three authors co-founded the Brief Therapy Group in Dublin, which is a psychotherapy, training and consultation service and the leading provider of Brief Therapy training and consultation to professionals in Ireland. Within their practice, the authors have designed basic and advanced training courses in solution-focused therapy as well as the format for a professional supervision and consultation group. This book distills the insights of their training approach into an accessible guide to practice.
REVIEWS
'It's not easy to write a good hands-on book about solution focused brief therapy which is exactly what the authors have managed to do. You will enjoy reading this book very much. It gives you enough ideas about the approach that you can start testing them in your work with clients right away.' Ben Furman, Director, Reteaming International
'Will help both beginners and advanced students of solution-based therapies master the approach. The perceptive reader will discover many advanced concepts presented clearly and simply.' Bill O'Hanlon, Founder of Possibility Therapy
'One of the best solution focused practice oriented books on the market.' Matthew D. Selekman, Partners for Change
'Brilliant... well written... crisp and to the point.' Chris Iveson, Brief Therapy Practice.
'Novices will love this book for its simplicity and straightforwardness. Experienced people will relish the humor and the helpful teaching guides.' John Walter, Co-author, 'Recreating Brief Therapy'
Haworth 2003 - Purchase at www.amazon.co.uk - ISBN 0789018330
Counselling Children, Adolescents and Families: A Strengths-Based Approach
JOHN SHARRY, BRIEF THERAPY GROUP AND MATER MISERICRODIAE HOSPI
TAL
Counselling Children Adolescents and Families is an excellent textbook for all professionals who are seeking a respectful and effective way of engaging and helping children, adolescents and families. Drawing on the best in recent advances in solution-focused and resilience-oriented models of psychotherapy, the book will outline a collaborative approach to therapeutic work that builds on children and families own strengths and resources and that can establish cooperation in even the most difficult situations.
Divided into three parts, the book first takes the reader in a clear and straightforward manner through the background and basic principles of the approach, tackling thorny professional issues such as how and when to use diagnosis. Second, the book outlines creative applications such as groupwork with children and parents, using playful and creative activities and using new but highly effective approaches such as video based feedback. The last section, considers how the strengths-based approach applies to 'difficult' contexts such as working with child abuse and suicidal teenagers and children.
REVIEWS
'In a clear, engaging, and step-by-step fashion, John Sharry describes how therapists, social workers, and helpers of all stripes, can tap into the many assets and abilities lying in wait in today's youth. I highly recommend it.' Scott Miller, ISTC Chicago, USA
'John Sharry's book is a jewel in the solution focused literature. It is clearly and engagingly written, draws on a host of ideas from different therapeutic approaches and is packed with practical examples. There is no better book on strengths-based therapy with children and adolescents. Every team should have one.' Chris Iveson, Brief Therapy Practice London
'Sharry has produced a rich resource from which the reader can consider the ideas, reflect upon them and integrate them into his/her own practice.' Tim Looker, Steinkopff Springer Darmstadt
'This is a valuable book, worth attention in every child and family service… I recommend this book to anyone who lives or works with families, children or teenagers.' Nurturing Potential
'The case studies are illuminating. The ideas and theories are set out in clear, readable progression. It should change practice. Wonderful.' V. Draper
Sage Publications - www.sagepub.co.uk Purchase at www.amazon.co.uk
Solution-Focused Groupwork
JOHN SHARRY, MATER MISERICRODIAE HOSPITAL AND BRIEF THERAPY GROUP, DUBLIN
Encouraging the reader to become a 'solution-detective' and to look for 'clues' to success in their own practice, this is a practical and accessible guide for therapists, counsellors and other professionals interested in making their practice solutionfocused and effective in a short time frame. Drawing on the insights of solution-focused therapy (SFT) and other strengths based therapies, the book is full of case examples, exercises and role plays, designed to build on your strengths as a practitioner. Becoming a Solution Detective is ideal for individual study and for use on courses in a wide range of fields including social work, counselling, therapy, psychology and nursing.
REVIEWS:
'A major contribution to the literature on groupwork.' Dr. Alastair J. MacDonald, President European Brief Therapy Association
'Solution-Focused Groupwork picks up where Irvin Yalom's classic 'Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy' left off. In a thoughtful, step-by-step, and easy-to read fashion, John Sharry integrates the best from established principles of group
therapy with recent advances in brief, strength-based, resiliency-oriented treatment approaches. A must read for practitioners working with groups.' Scott D. Miller, Co-founder, Institute for the Study of Therapeutic Change, Chicago, USA
'John Sharry has fluency with language that allows complexity to sit side by side with clarity and ideas to flow across the
page. This is a book that must be read by anyone interested in front line developments in solution-focused therapy.' Chris Iveson, Brief Therapy Practice, London
'This slim tautly written volume disguises an enormous practical treasure store to help group facilitators. Solution Focused
Groupwork should be essential reading.' Barbara Wilson, Family Mediation in Practice
'Enlightening, clearly written, and helpfully presented...The book echoes what Solution-Focused Groupwork is all about - being practical and optimistic about human potential.' David Jaques, Author of Learning in Groups
'Embraces the much deeper philosophical aspects of solution focused work that are relevant for every human group. ... Sharry writes extremely well and skillfully interweaves theory and practice.' John Lande
'A persuasive alternative to traditional methods of group practice… obviously written from a real practitioner who understands the process and elements of group work.' Prof. Robert Blundo, Ph.D., University of North Carolina
Sage Publications - www.sagepub.co.uk - ISBN 978-1412929851 Purchase at www.amazon.co.uk
To download a pdf file containing the complete booklist, please click here.
Parenting Preschoolers and Young Children
JOHN SHARRY, GRAINNE HAMPSON, MARY FANNING, MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL, DUBLIN
Light of touch, inviting to the (surely busy and distracted) readers, and decorated with amusing cartoons that add ideas... A good gift for young parents facing the challenge of those vital years’. Books Ireland In 'Parenting Preschoolers and Young Children' you will find practical advice on how to deal with the very real difficulties of caring for young children. As well as offering helpful tips on how to stimulate a child intellectually in terms of improved concentration and language development, it also offers sound advice on handling behavioural problems like temper tantrums and co-operation issues. Emphasising an approach to parenthood that praises rather than chides 'Parenting Preschoolers and Young Children' is an accessible and indispensable guide for those dealing with young children.
ISBN 978 1853909153 Purchase at veritas.ie, eason.ie or www.amazon.co.uk
Positive Parenting: Bringing up responsible, well-behaved and happy children
JOHN SHARRY, MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL, DUBLIN
'Positive Parenting' aims to help parents raise emotionally secure, happy children who reach their full potential at home and at school. Targeted at parents of primary school age children, 'Positive Parenting' provides a step-by-step guide to solving behaviour and other childhood problems including sibling rivalry, 
homework hassles, serious tantrums, bullying, poor self-esteem and anxiety.
‘This book is excellent, and will inspire both parents who are in trouble and also families who are getting along fine but know there are areas they could improve.’ Sunday World
'The book provides a step-by-step guide to solving behaviour and other childhood problems including sibling rivalry, homework hassles, serious tantrums, bullying, poor self-esteem and anxiety. Crammed full of practical tips and advice, it aims to help parents raise emotionally secure, happy children who reach their full potential at home and at school.
Written by established parenting expert, social worker and psychotherapist Dr John Sharry, the publication draws on the ideas of the award-winning Parents Plus programmes, which are used extensively in mental health services throughout Ireland and the UK. Sorcha Corcoran, Irish Independent May 2008
ISBN 9781847300775
Purchase at veritas.ie , eason.ie or www.amazon.co.uk
Bringing Up Responsible Teenagers
JOHN SHARRY, MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL AND BRIEF THERAPY GROUP, DUBLIN
This book describes a balanced approach to parenting, setting out a step-by-step guide that shows how you can stay supportively involved in your teenager's life while also being firm. It emphasises a positive approach that builds on your strengths as a parent, helping you not only to solve discipline problems and reduce conflict, but also to have a more satisfying and enjoyable relationship with your teenagers.
'One major strength of JohnSharry's approach is how he demonstrates how parents can reframe potential conflict situations as opportunities for closer involvement and richer family interactions. A very readable, common-sense user friendly booklet'. The Irish Psychologist
ISBN 1 85390 557 7
Purchase at Veritas.ie, eason.ie or www.amazon.co.uk
When Parents Separate: Helping Your Child Cope
JOHN SHARRY, PETER REID AND EUGENE DONOHOE
'A guide for parents to help them and their children to cope better with separation and divorce'. Although children can suffer greatly during parental conflict, separation or divorce, there are positive things that parents can do that will reduce the negative impact and help your children cope. This booklet is based on research into what makes a difference during a separation and offers practical advice on how you can help yourself and your children.
ISBN 1 85390 533 X
Purchase at Veritas Publications or www.amazon.co.uk
Parent Power: Bringing Up Responsible Children and Teenagers
JOHN SHARRY, MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL AND BRIEF THERAPY GROUP, DUBLIN
Parent Power is the new Wiley Edition of the two previous books by John Sharry on bringing up responsible children and teenagers. This expanded edition includes new chapters and extra material. Parent Power shows how it is possible to enjoy a warm and loving relationship with your children whilst teaching them to be responsible. Focusing on the interaction between parents and child it assists parents in finding alternative and satisfying ways to relate to their children and teenagers in a positive way.
'An excellent book for parents. Easy to read, clear practical strategies.' Alan Delahunty
'An indispensible guide'. The Irish Times
'A good guide for this tricky stage'. The Sun
Wiley Publications - www.wiley.co.uk - ISBN 0 470 85023 Purchase at www.amazon.co.uk
Coping with Depression in Young People: A Guide for Parents
CAROL FITZPATRICK, JOHN SHARRY, MATER MISERICORDIAE HOSPITAL, DUBLIN
Depression in young people is a difficult problem to deal with. Parents often feel at a loss as to how to help and fear greatly
what might happen. This book is written in response to parents' requests for reading material to help them understand their young person who is suffering from depression, to show them what they can do to help, and to enable them and all the family survive and come through what can be a very difficult situation. The book deals with the special concerns parents often have, including concerns about self-harm, alcohol and drug overuse and suicide, explaining when and how to get professional help and the treatment approaches used.
'Clearly and authoritatively written by two experts in the area, clinician's who work with depressed children and adolescents should routinely recommend that parents read this excellent book'. Professor Alan Carr, University College Dublin
'...a guide for parents, a book long overdue and one which will be of enormous help.' www.familyonwards.com
'The strength of the book lies in it accessible style and numerous practical suggestions.' Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Wiley Publications 2004 - 158 pages - www.wiley.co.uk - ISBN-13: 978-0470857557 Purchase at www.amazon.co.uk
To download a pdf file containing the complete booklist, please click here.