What Is Problem-Solving Therapy?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsProblem-Solving Therapy TechniquesUsesBenefitsHow Effective Is Problem-Solving Therapy?Things to ConsiderHow to Get Started

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Problem-Solving Therapy Techniques

Uses

Benefits

How Effective Is Problem-Solving Therapy?

Things to Consider

How to Get Started

Problem-solving therapy is a brief intervention that provides people with the tools they need to identify and solve problems that arise from big and small life stressors. It aims to improve your overall quality of life and reduce the negative impact of psychological and physical illness.

At a GlanceProblem-solving therapy is a short-term treatment used to help people who are experiencing depression, stress, PTSD, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and other mental health problems develop the tools they need to deal with challenges. This approach teaches people to identify problems, generate solutions, and implement those solutions. Let’s take a closer look at how problem-solving therapy can help people be more resilient and adaptive in the face of stress.

At a Glance

Problem-solving therapy is a short-term treatment used to help people who are experiencing depression, stress, PTSD, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and other mental health problems develop the tools they need to deal with challenges. This approach teaches people to identify problems, generate solutions, and implement those solutions. Let’s take a closer look at how problem-solving therapy can help people be more resilient and adaptive in the face of stress.

Overview of the Problem-Solving Mental Process

Problem-solving therapy is based on a model that takes into account the importance of real-life problem-solving. In other words, the key tomanaging the impact of stressful life eventsis to know how to address issues as they arise. Problem-solving therapy is very practical in its approach and is only concerned with the present, rather than delving into your past.

This form of therapy can take place one-on-one or in agroup formatand may be offered in person oronline via telehealth. Sessions can be anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours long.

Key Components

There are two major components that make up the problem-solving therapy framework:

A positive problem-solving orientation means viewing things in anoptimisticlight, embracingself-efficacy, and accepting the idea that problems are a normal part of life. Problem-solving skills are behaviors that you can rely on to help you navigate conflict, even during times of stress. This includes skills like:

Problem-solving therapy is all about training you to become adaptive in your life so that you will start to see problems as challenges to be solved instead of insurmountable obstacles. It also means that you will recognize the action that is required to engage in effective problem-solving techniques.

Planful Problem-Solving

One problem-solving technique, called planful problem-solving, involves following a series of steps to fix issues in a healthy, constructive way:

Other Techniques

Other techniques your therapist may go over include:

What Problem-Solving Therapy Can Help With

Problem-solving therapy addresses life stress issues and focuses on helping you find solutions to concrete issues. This approach can be applied to problems associated with various psychological and physiological symptoms.

Mental Health Issues

Problem-solving therapy may help address mental health issues, like:

The Best Online Therapy for Anxiety, Tried and Tested

Specific Life Challenges

This form of therapy is also helpful for dealing with specific life problems, such as:

Your doctor or mental healthcare professional will be able to advise whether problem-solving therapy could be helpful for your particular issue. In general, if you are struggling with specific, concrete problems that you are having trouble finding solutions for, problem-solving therapy could be helpful for you.

Visiting a Counselor vs. Psychotherapist

Benefits of Problem-Solving Therapy

The skills learned in problem-solving therapy can be helpful for managing all areas of your life. These can include:

Problem-solving therapy can help people feel more empowered to deal with the problems they face in their lives. Rather than feeling overwhelmed when stressors begin to take a toll, this therapy introduces new coping skills that can boostself-efficacyandresilience.

Other Types of TherapyOther similartypes of therapyincludecognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)andsolution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). While these therapies work to change thinking and behaviors, they work a bit differently. Both CBT and SFBT are less structured than problem-solving therapy and may focus on broader issues. CBT focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive thoughts, and SFBT works to help people look for solutions and build self-efficacy based on strengths.

Other Types of Therapy

Other similartypes of therapyincludecognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)andsolution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). While these therapies work to change thinking and behaviors, they work a bit differently. Both CBT and SFBT are less structured than problem-solving therapy and may focus on broader issues. CBT focuses on identifying and changing maladaptive thoughts, and SFBT works to help people look for solutions and build self-efficacy based on strengths.

This form of therapy was initially developed to help people combat stress through effective problem-solving, and it was later adapted to address clinical depression specifically.Today, much of the research on problem-solving therapy deals with its effectiveness in treating depression.

Problem-solving therapy has been shown to help depression in:

Problem-solving therapy also appears to be effective as a brief treatment for depression, offering benefits in as little as six to eight sessions with a therapist or another healthcare professional.This may make it a good option for someone unable to commit to a lengthier treatment for depression.

The Best Online Therapy Services for Depression We Tried and Tested

Problem-solving therapy is not a good fit for everyone. It may not be effective at addressing issues that don’t have clear solutions, like seeking meaning or purpose in life. Problem-solving therapy is also intended to treat specific problems, not general habits orthought patterns.

In general, it’s also important to remember that problem-solving therapy is not a primary treatment for mental disorders. If you are living with the symptoms of a serious mental illness such asbipolar disorderorschizophrenia, you may need additional treatment with evidence-based approaches for your particular concern.

Problem-solving therapy is best aimed at someone who has a mental or physical issue that is being treated separately, but who also has life issues that go along with that problem that has yet to be addressed.

For example, it could help if you can’t clean your house or pay your bills because of your depression, or if a cancer diagnosis is interfering with your quality of life.

Your doctor may be able to recommend therapists in your area who utilize this approach, or they may offer it themselves as part of their practice. You can also search for a problem-solving therapist with help from the American Psychological Association’s (APA)Society of Clinical Psychology.

If receiving problem-solving therapy from a doctor or mental healthcare professional is not an option for you, you could also consider implementing it as aself-helpstrategy using a workbook designed to help you learn problem-solving skills on your own.

During your first session, your therapist may spend some time explaining their process and approach. They may ask you to identify the problem you’re currently facing, and they’ll likely discuss yourgoals for therapy.

Keep In Mind

Problem-solving therapy may be a short-term intervention that’s focused on solving a specific issue in your life. If you need further help with something more pervasive, it can also become a longer-term treatment option.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shang P, Cao X, You S, Feng X, Li N, Jia Y.Problem-solving therapy for major depressive disorders in older adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Aging Clin Exp Res. 2021;33(6):1465-1475. doi:10.1007/s40520-020-01672-3Cuijpers P, Wit L de, Kleiboer A, Karyotaki E, Ebert DD.Problem-solving therapy for adult depression: An updated meta-analysis.Eur Psychiatry. 2018;48(1):27-37. doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.11.006Nezu AM, Nezu CM, D’Zurilla TJ.Problem-Solving Therapy: A Treatment Manual. New York; 2013. doi:10.1891/9780826109415.0001Owens D, Wright-Hughes A, Graham L, et al.Problem-solving therapy rather than treatment as usual for adults after self-harm: a pragmatic, feasibility, randomised controlled trial (the MIDSHIPS trial).Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2020;6:119. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00668-0Sorsdahl K, Stein DJ, Corrigall J, et al.The efficacy of a blended motivational interviewing and problem solving therapy intervention to reduce substance use among patients presenting for emergency services in South Africa: A randomized controlled trial.Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2015;10(1):46. doi:doi.org/10.1186/s13011-015-0042-1Margolis SA, Osborne P, Gonzalez JS.Problem solving. In: Gellman MD, ed.Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer International Publishing; 2020:1745-1747. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_208Kirkham JG, Choi N, Seitz DP.Meta-analysis of problem solving therapy for the treatment of major depressive disorder in older adults.Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016;31(5):526-535. doi:10.1002/gps.4358Garand L, Rinaldo DE, Alberth MM, et al.Effects of problem solving therapy on mental health outcomes in family caregivers of persons with a new diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia: A randomized controlled trial.Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2014;22(8):771-781. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2013.07.007Noyes K, Zapf AL, Depner RM, et al.Problem-solving skills training in adult cancer survivors: Bright IDEAS-AC pilot study.Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2022;31:100552. doi:10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100552Albert SM, King J, Anderson S, et al.Depression agency-based collaborative: effect of problem-solving therapy on risk of common mental disorders in older adults with home care needs.The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2019;27(6):619-624. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2019.01.002

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shang P, Cao X, You S, Feng X, Li N, Jia Y.Problem-solving therapy for major depressive disorders in older adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Aging Clin Exp Res. 2021;33(6):1465-1475. doi:10.1007/s40520-020-01672-3Cuijpers P, Wit L de, Kleiboer A, Karyotaki E, Ebert DD.Problem-solving therapy for adult depression: An updated meta-analysis.Eur Psychiatry. 2018;48(1):27-37. doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.11.006Nezu AM, Nezu CM, D’Zurilla TJ.Problem-Solving Therapy: A Treatment Manual. New York; 2013. doi:10.1891/9780826109415.0001Owens D, Wright-Hughes A, Graham L, et al.Problem-solving therapy rather than treatment as usual for adults after self-harm: a pragmatic, feasibility, randomised controlled trial (the MIDSHIPS trial).Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2020;6:119. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00668-0Sorsdahl K, Stein DJ, Corrigall J, et al.The efficacy of a blended motivational interviewing and problem solving therapy intervention to reduce substance use among patients presenting for emergency services in South Africa: A randomized controlled trial.Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2015;10(1):46. doi:doi.org/10.1186/s13011-015-0042-1Margolis SA, Osborne P, Gonzalez JS.Problem solving. In: Gellman MD, ed.Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer International Publishing; 2020:1745-1747. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_208Kirkham JG, Choi N, Seitz DP.Meta-analysis of problem solving therapy for the treatment of major depressive disorder in older adults.Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016;31(5):526-535. doi:10.1002/gps.4358Garand L, Rinaldo DE, Alberth MM, et al.Effects of problem solving therapy on mental health outcomes in family caregivers of persons with a new diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia: A randomized controlled trial.Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2014;22(8):771-781. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2013.07.007Noyes K, Zapf AL, Depner RM, et al.Problem-solving skills training in adult cancer survivors: Bright IDEAS-AC pilot study.Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2022;31:100552. doi:10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100552Albert SM, King J, Anderson S, et al.Depression agency-based collaborative: effect of problem-solving therapy on risk of common mental disorders in older adults with home care needs.The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2019;27(6):619-624. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2019.01.002

Shang P, Cao X, You S, Feng X, Li N, Jia Y.Problem-solving therapy for major depressive disorders in older adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Aging Clin Exp Res. 2021;33(6):1465-1475. doi:10.1007/s40520-020-01672-3Cuijpers P, Wit L de, Kleiboer A, Karyotaki E, Ebert DD.Problem-solving therapy for adult depression: An updated meta-analysis.Eur Psychiatry. 2018;48(1):27-37. doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.11.006Nezu AM, Nezu CM, D’Zurilla TJ.Problem-Solving Therapy: A Treatment Manual. New York; 2013. doi:10.1891/9780826109415.0001Owens D, Wright-Hughes A, Graham L, et al.Problem-solving therapy rather than treatment as usual for adults after self-harm: a pragmatic, feasibility, randomised controlled trial (the MIDSHIPS trial).Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2020;6:119. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00668-0Sorsdahl K, Stein DJ, Corrigall J, et al.The efficacy of a blended motivational interviewing and problem solving therapy intervention to reduce substance use among patients presenting for emergency services in South Africa: A randomized controlled trial.Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2015;10(1):46. doi:doi.org/10.1186/s13011-015-0042-1Margolis SA, Osborne P, Gonzalez JS.Problem solving. In: Gellman MD, ed.Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer International Publishing; 2020:1745-1747. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_208Kirkham JG, Choi N, Seitz DP.Meta-analysis of problem solving therapy for the treatment of major depressive disorder in older adults.Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016;31(5):526-535. doi:10.1002/gps.4358Garand L, Rinaldo DE, Alberth MM, et al.Effects of problem solving therapy on mental health outcomes in family caregivers of persons with a new diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia: A randomized controlled trial.Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2014;22(8):771-781. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2013.07.007Noyes K, Zapf AL, Depner RM, et al.Problem-solving skills training in adult cancer survivors: Bright IDEAS-AC pilot study.Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2022;31:100552. doi:10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100552Albert SM, King J, Anderson S, et al.Depression agency-based collaborative: effect of problem-solving therapy on risk of common mental disorders in older adults with home care needs.The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2019;27(6):619-624. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2019.01.002

Cuijpers P, Wit L de, Kleiboer A, Karyotaki E, Ebert DD.Problem-solving therapy for adult depression: An updated meta-analysis.Eur Psychiatry. 2018;48(1):27-37. doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.11.006

Nezu AM, Nezu CM, D’Zurilla TJ.Problem-Solving Therapy: A Treatment Manual. New York; 2013. doi:10.1891/9780826109415.0001

Owens D, Wright-Hughes A, Graham L, et al.Problem-solving therapy rather than treatment as usual for adults after self-harm: a pragmatic, feasibility, randomised controlled trial (the MIDSHIPS trial).Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2020;6:119. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00668-0

Sorsdahl K, Stein DJ, Corrigall J, et al.The efficacy of a blended motivational interviewing and problem solving therapy intervention to reduce substance use among patients presenting for emergency services in South Africa: A randomized controlled trial.Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2015;10(1):46. doi:doi.org/10.1186/s13011-015-0042-1

Margolis SA, Osborne P, Gonzalez JS.Problem solving. In: Gellman MD, ed.Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer International Publishing; 2020:1745-1747. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_208

Kirkham JG, Choi N, Seitz DP.Meta-analysis of problem solving therapy for the treatment of major depressive disorder in older adults.Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016;31(5):526-535. doi:10.1002/gps.4358

Garand L, Rinaldo DE, Alberth MM, et al.Effects of problem solving therapy on mental health outcomes in family caregivers of persons with a new diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia: A randomized controlled trial.Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2014;22(8):771-781. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2013.07.007

Noyes K, Zapf AL, Depner RM, et al.Problem-solving skills training in adult cancer survivors: Bright IDEAS-AC pilot study.Cancer Treat Res Commun. 2022;31:100552. doi:10.1016/j.ctarc.2022.100552

Albert SM, King J, Anderson S, et al.Depression agency-based collaborative: effect of problem-solving therapy on risk of common mental disorders in older adults with home care needs.The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2019;27(6):619-624. doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2019.01.002

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At a Glance#

Key Components#

Planful Problem-Solving#

Other Techniques#

What Problem-Solving Therapy Can Help With#

Mental Health Issues#

Specific Life Challenges#

Benefits of Problem-Solving Therapy#

Other Types of Therapy#

Keep In Mind#

Get Help Now#