Graham Buchanan was the founding manager of the Playfield Institute at Stratheden Hospital, Cupar, Fife.  He established the Playfield Institute as a mental health resource for anyone working with or caring for children and young people.  Graham trained as a Mental Health Nurse in Glasgow’s Gartnavel Royal Hospital before becoming a child and family therapist in NHS Fife in 1986.  Graham's interest in Solution Focused Brief Therapy dates back to the early 1990's when he was studying Systemic Family Therapy in Newcastle. Since then he has practiced extensively in a variety of roles including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and as an individual counsellor in NHS Fife’s Counselling Service.

 

Graham has organised a number of seminars and training events at the Playfield Institute and, along with his colleague, Chris Ward, regularly hosts two-day training workshops in Solution Focused Brief Therapy.  In recent years Graham has integrated his experience of Solution Focused thinking with Mindfulness awareness, developing an integrated model of mental health and wellbeing.  He has led the development of a number of innovative learning and teaching resources, most notably the Hands on Scotland website.

 

Graham lives in the Howe of Fife with his wife, and he has two adult daughters.

 

 

Publications

 

Simpson, W., Buchanan, G., Monteith, G.  2009.  Investing in the mental health of Fife: the Playfield Institute. Journal of Public Mental Health; 8 (1): 11 – 18.

 

Simpson, W., Buchanan, G., Monteith, G.  2008.  Investing in the mental health of Fife: a sustainable model for increasing mental health workforce capacity to help children flourish. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice; 3 (4): 11 – 19.

 

Smith, S., Buchanan, B.  2012.  Engaging with the Scottish Government’s Agenda on Health and Social Care.  InterAction: The journal of solution focus in organisations; 4 (2): 26 – 34.