I was a Consultant Psychiatrist in the NHS for 35 years with experience in all aspects of psychiatry including secure care. My training included psychodynamic, group and systemic psychotherapies and I am a registered trainer and supervisor. I have been the Medical Director of two Trusts and was Project Director of the Mental Health Institute at St Martin’s College in Carlisle. I am a past office-bearer of the European Brief Therapy Association and former Chair of the Dorset Trust for Counselling and Psychotherapy and a former Service Director of the Family Counselling Trust in Dorset. I was a founder member of the Society for Companion Animal Studies.
My book ‘Solution focused Therapy: Theory, Research and Practice’ was republished in 2011 and translated into Mandarin. I am on the editorial board of three journals. I previously supervised a research group in China. I am the Scientific Advisor for the Helsinki Psychotherapy Institute. The annotated bibliography of research literature on this site may be freely copied with acknowledgement. I was co-author of a vocabulary book for backpackers and business travellers. I am currently writing a workbook for trainers aimed at the Chinese language market.
I have taught in the USA, South Africa, China, Taiwan, Singapore and Australia as well as several countries in Europe. I have special experience in the application of solution-focused approaches within mental health and with offenders. Training workshops include solution-focused therapy, solution-focused approaches to mental health and organisational skills for finding cooperation in the workplace.
Publications
Whyte SF, Macdonald AJ, Naylor GJ, Moody JP (1976) ‘Plasma Concentrations of Protriptyline and Clinical Effects in Depressed Women’. British Journal of Psychiatry, 128:384-9.
Macdonald AJ (1976) ‘Pets in Hospital’. British Medical Journal p959 (letter).
Moody JP, Whyte SF, Macdonald AJ, Naylor GJ (1988) ‘Pharmacokinetic Aspects of Protriptyline Plasma Levels’. Europ J Clin Pharmacol, 11: 51-56.
Macdonald AJ (1977) ‘Mourning After Pets’. British Journal of Psychiatry, 131:551 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1979) ‘Review: Children and Companion Animals’. Child: Care, Health and Development, 5:347-358.
Macdonald AJ, Bouchier IAD (1980) ‘Non-organic Gastro-intestinal Illness: A Medical and Psychiatric Study’. British Journal of Psychiatry, 136:276-283.
Yoxall AT, Macdonald AJ, Yoxall BM (1979) ‘The Role of Pets in the Family’. MIMS Magazine, p19-25.
Macdonald AJ, Yoxall AT (1979) ‘Pets in the Family’. Veterinary Drug.
Macdonald AJ (1980) ‘Comparison of various treatments for irritable bowel syndrome’. British Medical Journal, 28: 1569 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1981) ‘Children and Their Dogs’. In Fogle, B (ed) ‘Inter-relationships Between People and Pets’, Charles C Thomas: Illinois.
Macdonald AJ, Peden NR, Hayton R, Mallinson CN, Roberts D, Wormsley KG (1981) ‘Symptom relief and the placebo effect in the trial of an anti-peptic drug’. Gut, 22:323-326.
Macdonald AJ (1984) ‘Dreams After Amputation’. British Journal of Psychiatry, 145:669 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1985) ‘Skills in Intervening with Families and their Wider Systems (Workshop Report)’. Association for Family Therapy Newsletter, 5:28-29.
Macdonald AJ (1985) ‘Review Body Report’. British Medical Journal, 291:57 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1987) ‘Consultant-Based Services: One Man’s Experience’. Bulletin of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 11:55-56.
Macdonald AJ (1989) ‘Paradoxical Intervention’. British Journal of Psychiatry, 144:883 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1990) ‘Brief Therapy in a Mental Hospital’. Context (Association for Family Therapy Newsletter), 6:40-41.
Macdonald AJ (1992) ‘Training and Outcome in Supervised Individual Psychotherapy’. British Journal of Psychotherapy, 8:237-266.
Macdonald AJ (1992) ‘Systemic Family Therapy in Adult Psychiatry’. British Journal of Psychiatry, 160:718 (letter).
Connolly M, Athawes R, Macdonald AJ (1992) ‘Access to Medical Records Act’. British Medical Journal, 305:1506 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1993) ‘Protocols for Constipation and Urinary Incontinence’. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 8:269 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1993) ‘Clonazepam in Tardive Dyskinesia’. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 10:168 (peer reviewed letter).
Macdonald AJ (1993) ‘Assessment of Mental Illness in the Elderly’. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 8:355-356 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1993) ‘Family Therapy in the Training of General Psychiatrists’. Psychiatric Bulletin, 17:173 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1993) ‘Wernicke’s Encephalopathy – a missed diagnosis?’ Care of the Elderly, 5:201 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1994) ‘A paper that changed my practice: Reversible mental impairment in alcoholics’. British Medical Journal, 308:678.
Macdonald AJ (1994) ‘Brief Therapy in Adult Psychiatry’. Journal of Family Therapy, 16:415-426.
Macdonald AJ (1995) ‘Eating Disorders’. Journal of Family Therapy, 17:356 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1995) ‘Training and outcome in supervised individual psychotherapy’ British Journal of Psychotherapy, 12:132 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (1997) ‘Brief Therapy in Adult Psychiatry: Further Outcomes’. Journal of Family Therapy, 19:213-222.
Macdonald AJ (1998) ‘Losungsorientierte Kurtzzeittherapie in einer schottische Psychiatrie: Die Erfahrungen von acht Jahren’ In: Eberling W & Vogt-Hillman M (Eds): ‘Kurzgefasst: Zum Stand der losungorientierten Praxis von Europa’. borgmann publishing, Dortmund.
Macdonald AJ (1999) ‘Orphenadrine – presence in patients not using antipsychotic drugs’
British Journal of Psychiatry, 174:565 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (2000) ‘Recommended reading for trainees’ Psychiatric Bulletin, 24:154 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (2001) Invited contribution to: Berg IK and Dolan Y (Eds) ‘Tales of Solutions: a collection of hope-inspiring stories’ Norton: New York.
Macdonald AJ (2003) ‘Research in solution-focused therapy’ In: O’Connell, Bill (Ed) ‘Handbook of solution-focused therapy’ Sage Publications: London.
Macdonald AJ (2002) ‘Solution-focused brief therapy’ Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 8:316 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (2002) ‘Primary care screening clinic’ Psychiatric Bulletin, 26:357 (letter).
Macdonald AJ, Ross J (2003) ‘Solution-focused brief therapy in general practice’, Journal of Primary Care Mental Health and Education, 7:68-69.
Macdonald AJ (2004) ‘Manualized therapy’. Journal of Family Therapy, 26:101 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (2004) ‘Hyperventilation: a curable cause of symptoms of anxiety. Journal of Primary Care Mental Health and Education, 7:105-108. Click here for document on overbreathing
Macdonald AJ (2005) ‘Brief therapy in adult psychiatry: results from 15 years of practice’ Journal of Family Therapy, 27:65-75.
Macdonald AJ (2005) ‘Thiamine treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in alcoholism’, Psychiatric Bulletin, 29:233 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (2005) ‘Input via partners for anxiety and depression in primary care’. Journal of Primary Care Mental Health and Education, 8:61.
Macdonald AJ (2005) ‘Voices: an exercise in developing solution focused conversations with the mentally ill.’ Journal of Family Psychotherapy,: 16(1/2):39-42. Special issue: ‘Education and Training in Solution Focused Brief Therapy’, Nelson TS (ed). Also published in book form: New York: Haworth Press.
Macdonald AJ (2006) ‘Personality subtypes and cognitive impairment in anorexia nervosa’, British Journal of Psychiatry, 188: 87-88 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (2006) ‘Does cannabis really cause psychosis?’. British Medical Journal, 332:303 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (2006) ‘Solution-focused situation management: finding cooperation quickly’. In Lueger G and Korn H-P (eds) ‘Solution-focused Management’. Rainer Hampp Verlag: Munchen und Mering. Pp 89-98. (Proceedings of 5th International Conference on Solution Focused Practice in Organisations, Vienna)
Macdonald AJ (2007) ‘Applying solution-focused brief therapy in acute mental health care’. In: Thomas FN and Nelson T (Eds) Clinical applications of solution-focused brief therapy. Howarth Press: New York.
Macdonald AJ (2008) ‘Warmup / starting exercise for solution-focused workshops in therapy and management: too many to shake hands?’ in ‘57 SF Activities for Facilitators and Consultants’ P. Rohrig and J. Clarke (eds), Solution Books: Cheltenham, UK / Managerseminare Verlag: Koln / Bonn.
Macdonald AJ (2009) ‘A journey towards solutions.’ In Metcalf L and Connie E (eds), ‘The Art of Solution-focused Therapy’. Springer:New York.
Bakker JM, Bannink FP, Macdonald AJ (2010) ‘Solution-focused psychiatry.’ Psychiatric Bulletin, 34: 297-300.
Macdonald AJ (2010) ‘Solution focused brief therapy’. In Nelson-Jones R (ed) ‘Theory and Practice of Counselling and Therapy’ (5th edn). Sage Publications: London.
Macdonald AJ (2010) ‘Solution focused brief therapy’. In Nelson-Jones R (ed) ‘Six Key Approaches to Counselling and Therapy’. Sage Publications: London.
Macdonald AJ, Popovic M (2010) ‘100 Useful Words in 37 Languages: The Essential Vocabulary To Travel The World’. Olympia Publishers: London.
Montagu R, Macdonald AJ (2010) ‘A New Initiative In Child And Family Counselling: Dorset Child And Family Counselling Trust’. Context: Newsletter of Association for Family Therapy, 112: 35-38.
Macdonald AJ (2011) Introduction to classic paper. Interaction, 3: 46-7.
Macdonald AJ (2011) ‘Common questions about solution-focused approaches’. Interaction 3:21-33.
Macdonald AJ (2007; 2011) ‘Solution-focused Therapy: Theory, Research and Practice’ (2nd ed.). Sage: London.
Macdonald AJ (2007) ‘Solution-focused Therapy: Theory, Research and Practice’. Sage: London. (Mandarin translation 2011)
Gingerich WJ, Kim J, Stams GJJ, Macdonald AJ (2011) ‘Current evidence base for solution focused therapy’. In Franklin C, Trepper TS, Gingerich WJ, McCollum EE (eds) ‘Solution-focused Brief Therapy: A Handbook of Evidence-Based Practice’. Oxford University Press: New York.
Macdonald AJ (2011) ‘Studies of outcome in solution-focused research since 2007’. Context: Newsletter of Association for Family Therapy, 118: 31-35.
Macdonald AJ (2012) Foreword to O’Connell B, Palmer S, Williams H ‘Solution-focused Coaching in Practice’. Routledge: London.
Macdonald AJ (2012) ‘Mainstream of solution-focused therapy’. In Lewinski A, Szczepkowski J, Switek T ‘Upside down: solution-focused paradigms: revolutions and evolutions.’ Wydawnictwo Edukacyne: Torun, Poland.
Macdonald AJ (2012) ‘Begegnungen mit Steve de Shazer und Insoo Kim Berg’ Essay in book of the same name, Vogt M, Wolf F, Sundman P, Dreesen HN (eds). Borgmann Publishers: Dortmund.
Macdonald AJ (2013) ‘Solution-Focused Therapy’. In Reeves A and Dryden W (eds) ‘The Handbook of Individual Therapy’. Sage Publications: London.
Macdonald AJ (2013) ‘Integrated health and postmodern medical care’. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 106: 79. doi:10.1177/0141076813480618 (letter).
Macdonald AJ (2013) ‘A personal view: solution focused therapy: the research and the literature. Where do we go from here?’ Presentation at SFCT Conference, University of Hertfordshire, 19-20 September; published Journal of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy 1(1): 79-88.
Gingerich WJ, Macdonald AJ (2014) ‘Interview’. Journal of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy 1(1): 89-94.
Macdonald AJ (2014) ‘Solution focused brief therapy’. In Nelson-Jones R (ed) ‘Theory and Practice of Counselling and Therapy’ (6th edn). Sage Publications: London.
Macdonald AJ (2014) ‘A Humour of Love’ by Robert Montagu (book review). Context: Newsletter of Association for Family Therapy 138: 47.
Macdonald AJ (2015) Sage Video Counselling and Psychotherapy Collection: four short videos on sf interviewing. Sage Publications: London.
Panayotov P, Macdonald AJ, Strahilov B (2015) ‘The Strengths and Difficulties of Simple Therapy’. http://en.solutions-centre-rousse-bulgaria.org/files/the_difficulties_and_benefits_of_being_a_simple_therapist.pdf
Panayotov P (ed Macdonald AJ) (2016) ‘Steps to Success: the good questions diary’. Pilot for phone app. Solutions Centre Rousse: Bulgaria.
Macdonald AJ (2016; February) ‘Wise words: interviews with retired consultants’ (ed Dr Kuljit Bhogal). Royal College of Psychiatrists e-newsletter.
Lloyd HF, Macdonald AJ, Wilson L (2016) ‘Solution-focused brief therapy’ (Chapter 7) In ‘Psychological therapies and people who have intellectual disabilities’ Beail N (ed). British Psychological Society: London.
Macdonald AJ (2016) ‘Paracetamol and risk factors in Newcastle’ (letter). British Journal of Psychiatry Bulletin 40(5):285. doi:10.1192/pb.40.5.285
Macdonald AJ (2016) Encounters with Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg: Inside Stories of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Vogt, Wolf, Sundman, Dreesen (eds) (Review). Journal of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy 2(1): 67-69.
Taylor L, Macdonald AJ (2017) Solution-Focused Short Term Therapy. (Chinese)
Macdonald AJ (2018) ‘Solution-focused therapy: the story so far.’ EBTA conference PROCEEDINGS (Sofia).
Panayotov PA, Macdonald aj (2019) ‘From Compliance to adherence: how language modes affect medication intake.’ In Signs in the road from Therapy to conversations led by clients. LAP Lambert academic publishing: Mauritius.
Macdonald AJ ‘Interventions for Prolonged Grief’. Submitted to Journal of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy.
Macdonald AJ (2018) ‘A Workbook On Solution-Focused Brief Therapy With Exercises For Trainers’. (Chinese; in preparation).
Numerous letters to medical and lay press on various medical and non-medical topics.
Occasional reviewer of books and articles for learned journals.