Problem-solving therapy (PST) is a psychosocial intervention, generally considered to be under a cognitive-behavioral umbrella, that is geared to enhance one’s ability to cope effectively with both minor (e.g., chronic daily problems) and major (e.g., traumatic events) stressors in order to attenuate extant mental health and physical health problems. Rather than representing an updated volume of the theoretical and empirical literature on PST or social problem solving, the purpose of this book is to serve as a detailed treatment manual and to delineate general intervention strategies of contemporary PST that are required to effectively conduct this intervention approach. The book first briefly presents an overview of the theory underlying PST as well as the supportive research that documents its efficacy across various populations and clinical problems. Next, it offers an overview of problem-solving assessment and treatment planning as well as general clinical considerations. In order to achieve the treatment goals, the specific treatment objectives for PST can be thought of as: enhancing positive problem orientation, decreasing negative problem orientation, fostering planful problem solving, minimizing avoidant problem solving, and minimizing impulsive/careless problem solving. In order to achieve the treatment goals and objectives, PST focuses on training clients in four major problem-solving toolkits. The four toolkits include: problem-solving multitasking, the Stop, Slow Down, Think, and Act (SSTA ) method of approaching problems, healthy thinking and imagery, and planful problem solving. The book describes these toolkits and provides for detailed clinical guidelines in order to effectively conduct PST.

This book is a companion to Emotion-Centered Problem-Solving Therapy: Treatment Guidelines that a clinician using Emotion-centered problem-solving therapy (EC-PST) can use as handouts for current clients or can be purchased directly by clients actively engaged in EC_PST. The book underscores the importance of problem-solving in overcoming stress, improving self-confidence, and fostering better personal and professional relationships. It includes a Problem-Solving Therapy Worksheet, tips for developing goals, using brainstorming principles, and overcoming negative emotions. The Appendix includes a Problem-Solving Test, exercise and several stress-relieving and relaxation exercises, including a “Safe-Place” visualization

This book represents the culmination of decades of research and clinical experience regarding various problem-solving–based interventions. These interventions, primarily known as problem-solving therapy (PST), have been in existence (ostensibly as a type of cognitive-behavioral approach) since the 1970s. Emotion-centered problem-solving therapy (EC-PST) is the reformulated and updated version of problem-solving therapy or PST. This newer approach puts more emphasis on teaching individuals to better understand and manage their emotional reactions to stressful events than those previously included in our PST protocols. EC-PST essentially is a psychosocial intervention developed within a social learning framework that is based on a biopsychosocial, diathesis undefined stress model of psychopathology. The major purpose of this book is to provide clinicians and researchers a detailed treatment manual of EC-PST. The first section focuses on various conceptual and empirical foundations of this approach, whereas the second section addresses assessment issues, treatment planning, and various “metamessages” that detail crucial aspects of the treatment protocol. The third section contains the actual treatment manual of EC-PST and includes multiple examples of how to conduct the intervention. Throughout these chapters, the authors provide examples of “scripts” to use to explain important concepts to clients. The chapters also include clinical examples of cases to illustrate certain applications of EC-PST. The concluding chapter contains descriptions on how to apply EC-PST to certain populations (i.e., military veterans and active service members) and goals (i.e., suicide prevention and treatment; positive functioning). In addition, a companion Client Workbook is available for purchase; search on 978-0-8261-3523-0 to locate the workbook. The Client Workbook can be used as handouts by a clinician or purchased directly by clients currently or previously engaged in an EC-PST relationship. It provides several problem-solving and stress reducing techniques and underscores the importance of problem-solving skills in overcoming stress, improving self-confidence, and fostering better personal and professional relationships.