Anne Bodmer Lutz, M.D.

Anne Lutz Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy

Anne Bodmer Lutz, B.S.N., M.D., is the Executive Director of The Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, MA. As a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adults, children, and adolescents, she brings a unique perspective from her early career as a nurse before transitioning to medicine. Dr. Lutz was mentored by the founders of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer, and has dedicated her career to advancing and teaching solution-focused practices.

Dr. Lutz brings extensive experience in applying solution-focused approaches across diverse settings, including community mental health, schools, colleges, residential treatment programs, and with adolescents and families navigating substance use, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. In her private practice in Massachusetts, she uses solution-focused language to instill hope, foster agency, and guide children and families toward meaningful change through actionable plans.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Lutz provides clinical supervision, teaching, and workshops for medical students, psychiatric residents, and professionals in community organizations, educational settings, and the military. Her efforts empower professionals to implement solution-focused practices effectively and with confidence.

Dr. Lutz is the author of The Solution-Focused Mindset for Anxiety and Depression, a transformative workbook grounded in evidence-based solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). With its uniquely positive approach, this workbook empowers readers to recognize their inherent strengths, draw on existing coping skills, cultivate self-compassion, navigate challenging moments with calm and clarity, and take meaningful steps toward building a life rooted in hope, resilience, and joy.

She is also the author of Learning Solution-Focused Therapy: An Illustrated Guide, a comprehensive resource featuring over 30 videos and numerous case examples demonstrating the practical application of solution-focused therapy techniques.

In addition, Dr. Lutz contributed a groundbreaking chapter on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to the 11th edition of Kaplan and Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, marking the first time this approach has been included in a major psychiatric textbook. This milestone highlights the growing recognition of solution-focused therapy’s relevance in psychiatry.

To contact Anne: anne@solutionfocused.net