Problem Solving Therapy

1. Problem Solving
Therapy (PST)

2. Introduction.
• Cognitive–behavioural intervention geared to improve an individual's ability to
cope with stressful life experiences.
• When such stressful problems either create psychological problems or exacerbate
existing medical problems, PST may be of help, either as a sole intervention or in
combination with other approaches.
• The underlying assumption of this approach is that symptoms of
psychopathology can often be understood as the negative consequences of
ineffective or maladaptive coping.

3. Introduction.
• Broadly speaking, one can divide people who can be helped by
problem solving into:
1. Those who generally cope well but are not able to do so at present,
perhaps because of the illness or the nature of the
dilemma/problem;
2. Those with poor coping resources (requires long-term intervention).

4. Steps in assessment of problem solving.
Identify patient’s
problems
Identify patient’s
resources: assets
& supports
Obtain
information from
other sources
Decide whether
problem solving
is appropriate
Decide on
practical
arrangements
Establish
therapeutic
contact

5. Steps in problem solving.
Decide which
problem(s) to be
tackled first
Agree goal(s)
Work out steps
necessary to
achieve those
goal(s)
Decide tasks
necessary to tackle
first step
Review progress in
next session
(difficulties
encountered)
decide on next step
based on progress;
agree subsequent
tasks
Proceed as above to
agreed goals or
redefine problems &
goals.
Work on further
problems if
necessary

6. Problem-solving therapy can provide training in adaptive problem-
solving skills as a means of better resolving and/or coping with stressful
problems. Such skills include:
• Making effective decisions.
• Generating creative means of dealing with problems.
• Accurately identifying barriers to reaching one’s goals.
Skills taught.

7. • To identify which types of stressors tend to trigger emotions, such as sadness, tension, and
anger.
• Better understand and manage negative emotions.
• Become more hopeful about your abilities to deal with difficult problems in life.
• Be more accepting of problems that are unsolvable.
• Be more planful and systematic in the way you attempt to resolve stressful problems.
• Be less avoidant when problems occur.
• Be less impulsive about wanting a “quick fix” solution.
Goals of PST.

9. • Generating possible solutions
to problems
• Examining alternatives
• Cognitive rehearsal
• Role-play and role reversal
Intervention strategies.
• Activity scheduling
• Challenging erroneous beliefs
• Contingency management
• Providing information and
advice

10. PST effective treatment for:
• Major depressive disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Emotional distress
• Suicidal ideation
• Relationship difficulties
• Certain personality disorders
• Poor quality of life and
emotional distress related to
medical illness, such as cancer
or diabetes.

11. Therapy Author Year Country Profession Important books
Cognitive therapy (CT) Aaron Temkin
Beck
1960s America Psychiatrist • Numerous CBT books
• Love Is Never Enough.
Rational emotive
behaviour therapy
(REBT)
Albert Ellis 1955 America Psychologist &
psychotherapist
REBT: It Works for Me -- It Can
Work for You
All Out!: An Autobiography.
Cognitive analytic
theory (CAT)
Anthony Ryle 1984 England Doctor (Medicine)
Psychotherapist
Diary From The Edge
Frames and Cages
Student Casualties
Dialectical behaviour
therapy (DBT)
Marsha
Linehan
1993 America Psychologist Building a Life Worth Living
Problem solving
therapy (PST)
- - - -
Acceptance and
commitment therapy
(ACT)
Steve Hayes 1987 America Clinical psychologist Get Out of Your Mind and Into
Your Life
A Liberated Mind
Mindfulness based
cognitive therapy
(MBCT)
Jon-Kabat Zinn 1990 America Professor of medicine/
molecular biologist
Full Catastrophe Living
Wherever You Go, There You
Are