Dean-David Holyoake

Dr Dean-David Holyoake is a leading expert in solution-focused psychotherapy, senior lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton and founder of Solution Focused Life. With over 25 years specialising in the solution-focused approach, Dean has worked extensively with mentally ill young people and their families across various settings. He trained in multiple psychotherapeutic modalities before dedicating his career to solution focused methods, emphasising future-oriented action, philosophical underpinnings (Stoicism, Pragmatism, Constructionism) and moving beyond problem-saturated narratives.

Dean earned his PhD over 25 years ago and has since lectured internationally, presented at numerous conferences (UK and global), published widely in mental health and psychotherapy journals and supervised hundreds of postgraduate students. His ethnographic research explores the intersections of philosophy, narrative practice, youth mental health and family therapy.

Key publications include:

Solution Focused Psychotherapy: 24 Philosophical Handouts Discussing Solution Focused Time and Truth

Justification & Solution Focused Psychotherapy: 28 Philosophical Artefacts from the Solution Focused Museum

Dean continues to challenge traditional approaches, promoting radical, empowering ideas for personal growth and societal change. When not teaching, researching, or consulting, Dean enjoys rethinking life strategies through creative and philosophical lenses.

Connect with his work via Through Solution Focused Life organisation and affiliations with innovative publishers like Happy Fool Publishing.