Emergence of SF practice
Jonas Wells shares rumours on SF history
Oct 22, 2026
Recording
Listen to the recording on YouTube
How might understanding where Solution Focus came from help us consider where we go next?
This recording began with a conversation after an SFiO Fika. Jonas Wells was sharing some of his research into SF’s history, and the conversation was so interesting that I asked whether he would bring it to our Global Online Chapter. I am delighted he said yes.
Jonas takes us from Milton Erickson and the Mental Research Institute to Steve de Shazer, Insoo Kim Berg and their colleagues in Milwaukee. He calls these accounts “rumours”, recognising that we each bring different perspectives to the stories we tell.
What particularly interests me is his exploration of the early years, before SF became an established model. Here was a group watching, listening, experimenting and learning together, willing to change their thinking when their conversations with clients suggested something useful.
We encounter the move from resistance to cooperation, the emergence of questions we now recognise, and Eve Lipchik’s contribution to listening with a constructive ear. There is much here to appreciate, including contributions that may be less familiar.
The conversation also raises questions for our practice today. What enables us to be present? How do our ethics influence our responses? What might we learn through experience and reflection together?
For me, this is a lovely opportunity to appreciate the work behind an approach that can appear so simple, and to consider how we might continue developing it.
Please enjoy the recording and notice what it inspires in your own work.
Hear more with SF on Tour
Listen to Jonas being interviewed by Elfie Czerny and Dominik Godat on their site, SF on Tour, where you will also find a link to the timeline he mentions in the SFiO talk.
Visit SF on Tour for the Jonas Wells interviews
Explore the presentation
Follow Jonas’s exploration of SF’s history through the slides used in this recording.
Open the presentation slides (PDF)
Keys to Solution: The Wizard of Oz Technique. Dialogue 1985
Enjoy this conversation between Brian Cade and Steve de Shazer, exploring the idea of “skeleton keys” and helping people draw on abilities they already have.
Jonas Wells
InterAction Contributor
SFiO Contributor
Jonas Wells works in Sweden as Coordinating Manager for South Dalarnas Coordination Agency. The agency coordinates joint efforts between municipalities (social work), social insurance office, job centre and the regional health care organisation. He is also responsible for the continuous development of indicators of successful collaboration via the Swedish National Network of Coordination Agencies.