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ABOUT PROBLEM SOLVING THERAPY
Problem solving therapy – sometimes referred to as ‘structured problem solving’ – is a brief, evidence-based, cognitive–behavioral intervention used to help people cope with stressful life experiences, increase resilience, and improve people's functioning in various areas of their lives, be it personal, professional, social or self directed development.
PST has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of issues, some of which include:
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Reducing depression
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Managing anxiety
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Emotional distress
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Suicidal ideation
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Relationship difficulties
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Poor quality of life and the emotional distress related to chronic medical illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes or HIV/AIDS
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When people are overwhelmed by stressors, such as financial difficulties, relationship issues, loss, or trauma we become vulnerable to avoidant or impulsive problem-solving efforts, which tend to exacerbate our stress. Too many stressors or too greater stress in a persons life, when left unchecked can lead to depression, increased anxiety, substance misuse or even thoughts of taking ones life.
Problem-solving therapy works by teaching individuals a series of sequential steps and empowering skills. These steps and skills encourage people to take responsibility and control over their lives, they promote active participation in the change making process so that individuals learn to utilize whatever influence they have to effectively make decisions and achieve defined goals.
Problem-Solving Steps
By using the problem-solving therapy steps and working with one specific problem at a time, people can learn to apply this skill to other problems they may be facing and become empowered individuals, ready to face difficulties more independently.
As these skills are repeatedly practice, people report an increased sense of confidence and agency in many aspects of their lives.
Points to note about problem-solving therapy
No one will give you answers, we believe you know yourself better than anyone and your solutions are uniquely individual.
We are here to guide and support you in the process of exploring solutions, not give you advice or solve problems for you.
Change takes time and action. You will not find change without putting in conscious work.
Main treatment goals include
The adoption of an adaptive worldview or orientation towards living. E.g. positive self-efficacy, optimism, acceptance that problems will occur but can be overcome.
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The effective implementation of specific problem-solving steps and behaviors. E.g. planful problem solving, and emotional regulation and management.
