Our History, Our Origins
The Brief Therapy Center (BTC), is a pioneering center in brief and strategic therapy since its founding at the Mental Research Institute (MRI). Over more than five decades, the BTC has led the field of family and brief therapy, transforming the way we understand and address mental health challenges.
About Brief Therapy Center
The Brief Therapy Center started in 1966 at the Mental Research Institute (MRI) in Palo Alto, CA as a research project directed by Richard Fisch, MD in collaboration with John Weakland, ChE., MA and Paul Watzlawick, Ph.D. At the time Don Jackson was the Director of the MRI, which had been founded by him in 1959. Jay Haley was an initial member of the Brief Therapy Center, since he was a member of the ‘Bateson Group’. It is largely
based on theoretical ideas of this group that the BTC was built. Behaviour occurs in a context, you are able to construct your own view of reality by choosing which parts of the interaction you choose to emphasize, you cannot not communicate and other axioms of communication.
Their idea: within the prevailing mode of therapy at the time, psychoanalysis, was it possible to cultivate a more effective therapy method? Could you effect change in behaviour faster, which would then become ‘the new normal’? This would effectively reduce suffering faster. We now know this model as Problem-Solving Brief Therapy as a way of describing a different approach from the myriad of other brief therapies. Today, the Brief Therapy Center, LLC continues as the leading institution in the promotion and expression of this form of therapy.
Thanks to its efficiency, this method has gained global popularity; professionals across the world come to our facilities at the BTC Mexico to participate in our face to face training to hone their therapeutic skills, while watching us work.
Taking into account the global interest in learning the model, we’ve opened partner offices of the BTC in Mexico, Paraguay, Shanghai and soon in Puerto Rico. We are growing!
The Brief Therapy Center® is headquartered in the United States in Palo Alto, CA under the direction of Karin Schlanger.
Timeline
Innovative therapy practices across the generations.
1950s
Foundation of the Macy Conferences and the Bateson Group
Warren McCulloch organized the Macy Conferences in New York, influencing Gregory Bateson. The Bateson Group, including Bateson, Haley, Fry, and Weakland, began their research on interactions and communication at the Veterans Hospital in Menlo Park.
1959
Foundation of the Mental Research Institute (MRI)
Don D. Jackson establishes the MRI in Palo Alto, California, as a mental health research center. He begins to implement innovative brief therapy techniques.
1968
Creation of the Brief Therapy Center (BTC)
Led by Richard Fisch and Paul Watzlawick, the BTC is established within the MRI. It begins to develop and teach brief and strategic therapy, gaining international recognition.
1976
Instituto de Terapia Familiar de Washington DC
Jay Haley y Cloe Madanes fundan el instituto, influenciado por las prácticas del BTC y otros centros de terapia familiar.
2008
2019
Presente
The History of Brief Therapy
Founded in 1966 at the Mental Research Institute (MRI) in Palo Alto, California, the Brief Therapy Center (BTC) quickly became a pioneer in strategic and brief therapy. Led by Dr. Richard Fisch, in collaboration with John Weakland, Arthur Bodin and Paul Watzlawick, they were curious about how much change could be achieved in a limited amount of sessions, in contrast with the predominant psychoanalytical model. The BTC introduced a practical, solution-focused approach to psychotherapy.
From its inception, BTC stood out for its innovative and practical approach to problem-solving in therapeutic contexts. Over more than five decades, it has significantly influenced the field of psychotherapy, introducing methods that prioritize quick and effective solutions for a wide range of emotional and relational challenges.
Our professionals focus on an interactional and collaborative approach. We work closely listening to what our clients are asking for, to identify behavioral patterns and provide precise, targeted interventions. Contrary to many other models of therapy, we, the therapists do not know better than then client what they should be changing: they are the masters of the direction in which the therapy will develop: we give guidance to avoid the pitfalls in which they have fallen before and that are keeping them stuck. This methodology has been widely recognized and adopted internationally, establishing BTC as a global reference in the treatment of families, couples, and individuals. Additionally, the center has played a crucial role in training mental health professionals, in practical knowledge and advanced skills that enable therapists to apply effective methods in their daily practice.
Today, under the leadership of Karin Schlanger, BTC continues its legacy of excellence and commitment to therapeutic innovation. Despite the changes and challenges of the modern landscape, BTC constantly adapts, incorporating cutting-edge technology and expanding its services in both in-person and online formats. The center remains a beacon of knowledge and support for those seeking quick and lasting solutions to their clients’ emotional difficulties, maintaining its reputation as a leader in the evolution of brief therapy.
History of the One-Way Mirror
The one-way mirror, developed in the 1950s, became a key tool in the teaching of therapeutic skills. It was born at the MRI, as a way to work in a team. After a couple of months of observers having to walk into sessions to deliver their observations, the phone was included as a way to effectively deliver helpful interventions. The ‘team’ however, reserved the right to walk into the session when a point was too long to be delivered effectively over the phone. The clients were, of course, informed from the beginning about the setting, which also included recording all Brief Therapy Center sessions. Those recordings, with the necessary permissions to use the sessions in future trainings, exist under the baton of Karin Schlanger. Some of them are used in online and in-person trainings.
This method allows therapists to observe sessions in real time, which is the most effective way of learning. The learning professional does not rely on ‘hearsay’ but can watch the wisdom – and the blunders– of their teachers. Transparency at its best! without being seen by clients. First introduced in the field of psychotherapy to enhance training and supervision, the one-way mirror facilitates a more objective assessment of therapeutic interactions and contributes to the ongoing education of professionals by providing a direct and uninterrupted view of the therapeutic process. We are very pleased to have launched this teaching tool in Spanish. Hoping to get enough interest in English to launch it too. It is, ultimately, the best supervision possible and the client is guaranteed good services.
This method allows therapists to observe sessions in real time, which is the most effective way of learning. The learning professional does not rely on ‘hearsay’ but can watch the wisdom – and the blunders– of their teachers. Transparency at its best! First introduced in the field of psychotherapy to enhance training and supervision, the one-way mirror facilitates a more objective assessment of therapeutic interactions and contributes to the ongoing education of professionals by providing a direct and uninterrupted view of the therapeutic process. We are very pleased to have launched this teaching tool in Spanish. Hoping to get enough interest in English to launch it too. It is, ultimately, the best supervision possible and the client is guaranteed good services.
Leading edge training
The most effective professionals are coming out of our trainings. Karin Schlanger was the one person who learned from the inventors of the Problem-Solving Brief Therapy at the MRI, for over 20 years since she lived in Palo Alto rather than just visiting. She also travelled extensively around the world to conduct trainings with Dr. Fisch and has written extensively in collaboration with Fisch, Weakland and Watzlwick, as well as with international colleagues such as Pedro Vargas and Clara Solis in Mexico, Marcelo Rodriguez Ceberio in Argentina, Michael Hoyt and Wendel Ray in the US. Karin and her staff have been training several generations of effective change makers.
60 years of institutional experience
Internationally proven experience and efficiency
Learn directly from training leaders
Work hand in hand with the best professionals of the model born at the Brief Therapy Center of the MRI.
