Problem-Solving Therapy

What Is Problem-Solving Therapy?

Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) is a short-term psychotherapy. This therapy equips an individual with the skills to identify and address challenges caused by stressors. By fostering effective problem-solving abilities, this therapy aims to reduce the side effects of physiological and psychological illnesses.
The aim of this evidence-based intervention is to empower a patient to manage triggers independently. Senior citizens suffering from advanced depression and depression have responded well to therapy.

Problem-Solving Therapy Techniques

• Brainstorming is one of the most essential techniques of problem-solving therapy. Therapists encourage patients to come up with practical solutions by giving them questionnaires to initiate the thinking process.
• Skills are developed for regulating emotions and controlling impulsive behaviour. Since PST is a type of cognitive behavioural therapy, therapists encourage patients to ignore negative thoughts and adopt a progressive mindset.
• Cognitive restructuring allows patients to think properly. This allows patients to think on their feet critically and make decisions in a manner that does not trigger any disorder.
• Consistent monitoring and evaluation of performance ensures patients are on the right track. For timely recovery, therapists keep track of progress and assign assignments to patients to understand their level of cognitive ability.

What Problem-Solving Therapy Can Help With?

Problem-solving therapy can effectively treat multiple psychological disorders. However, PST therapy can function as a standalone therapy and as a complementary approach as well.
As a standalone treatment, PST has shown efficacy in addressing mild to moderate mental health disorders. It serves a preventive function in which an individual can be equipped with certain strategies that will maintain his or her mental health.
As a complementary treatment, PST is often combined with medication and other therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy. This treats simultaneously occurring mental health issues and is effective in preventing relapse.
PST is also used as a technique by psychiatrists during relapse prevention programs. They address specific queries of patients to boost their confidence and ask the right questions to analyse their progress.

How Does Problem-Solving Therapy Work?

Patients are interviewed extensively by therapists before the therapy is administered. Psychologists analyse the medical history thoroughly and learn about the medication they have already been prescribed.
Since PST is recommended for people who want to prevent relapse and as a complementary treatment as well, the therapy starts accordingly. Here is a complete description of how problem-solving therapy works:

1. Identifying and Accepting Problems

Therapists start the treatment by identifying problems. The aim is to deconstruct vague triggers into concrete problems to enhance clarity and make the patient accept them.

2. Setting Goals

Therapists underline achievable goals for patients. They ensure that the efforts align with the problem and are practical enough to be executed. A time frame is given to the patient for meaningful and prompt outcomes.

3. Finding Solutions

Therapists then encourage patients to generate solutions through brainstorming. Judgement is avoided and creativity is encouraged even if ideas are seemingly impractical. The aim is to guide patients to step out of their comfort zones and avoid habitual responses.

4. Decision Making

Therapists evaluate the feasibility of each solution offered by a patient. The aim is to train patients to select the most practical options so that personal needs are balanced with realistic conditions.

5. Weighing Pros and Cons

The benefits and drawbacks of every step are weighed systematically. Patients are trained to make smart decisions in a limited amount of time while avoiding triggers. The aim is to make critical and informed decisions faster.

6. Creating Action Plan

Actionable plans are essential for a patient to succeed. A structured and well-thought-out plan must be executed methodically for the best outcome.

7. Implementation and Evaluation

Therapists aim to boost the confidence of patients by encouraging them to take actionable steps. Solutions are assessed for effectiveness and alternative strategies are explored to revive the decision-making skills of patients.

Benefits of Problem-Solving Therapy

• Therapy helps identify and understand triggers that have a negative impact on behaviour. Since it focuses on altering behaviour permanently, it works well for patients suffering from major mental disorders.
• Problem-solving therapy develops confidence in a person to handle challenges without fear. A patient is equipped to talk to people from all walks of life in different settings.
• This therapy gives a structured step-by-step approach to patients to deconstruct a problem systematically. It also works on repairing broken human relationships.
• Problem-solving therapy allows a person to build a versatile toolbox of strategies to resolve issues.
• A patient is encouraged to come up with creative problem-solving skills for long-term recovery. Teenagers are highly recommended to opt for this therapy as a preventive measure to maintain their emotional health.
• Resolving interpersonal conflicts becomes easier as emotional intelligence heightens. This also boosts overall well-being and combats physical stressors.

How Effective Is Problem-Solving Therapy?

Problem-solving therapy was initially developed to help patients manage stress through effective problem-solving techniques. The therapy later evolved to treat clinical depression. The latest research suggests that PST has been most effective in patients who suffer from serious illnesses.
The therapy helps people who feel depressed or emotionally distraught when they are recovering from cancer, any dangerous accident and so on. A patient feels better after six to eight sessions spanning a few months.