Problem Solving
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Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
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Introduction & Theoretical Background
Problem Solving is a helpful intervention whenever clients present with difficulties, dilemmas, and conundrums, or when they experience repetitive thought such as rumination or worry. Effective problem solving is an essential life skill and this Problem Solving worksheet is designed to guide adults through steps which will help them to generate solutions to ‘stuck’ situations in their lives. It follows the qualities of effective problem solving outlined by Nezu, Nezu & D’Zurilla (2013), namely: clearly defining a problem; generation of alternative solutions; deliberative decision making; and the implementation of the chosen solution.
The therapist’s stance during problem solving should be one of collaborative curiosity. It is not for the therapist to pass judgment or to impose their preferred solution. Instead it is the clinician’s role to sit alongside clients and to help them examine the advantages and disadvantages of their options and, if the client is ‘stuck’ in rumination or
Therapist Guidance
- The first step in problem solving is to identify a problem, difficulty, or dilemma which is bothering you, or about which you have been ruminating or worrying. Helpful things to ask yourself are:
- What is the nature of the problem?
- What are my goals?
- What is getting the way of me reaching my goals?
- The next step is to generate a range of possible approaches to solving your problem, ideally solutions which are designed to overcome the obstacles that have already been identified. At this stage your job is to think of as many potential approaches as possible, it does not matter how outlandish or unworkable they may be. Generate at least three potential solutions. Consider:
- “Can you think of any ways that you could make this problem not be a problem any more?”
- “What’s keeping this problem as a problem? What could you do
References And Further Reading
- Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford. Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., D’Zurilla, T. J. (2013). Problem-solving therapy: a treatment manual. New York: Springer.