Structured Problem-Solving Therapy: 10 Evidence-Based Coaching Practices

Describe almost anything you are working through and IX Coach finds the practices whose real-world fit is closest. For Structured Problem-Solving Therapy, these are the strongest matches in the current practice library.

Practices that may help

1. Problem-Solving Therapy, Made Practical
   Problem-Solving Therapy (PST), developed by Nezu and D’Zurilla, treats depression and anxiety by building structured, step-by-step problem-solving skills — targeting the learned helplessness and avoidance that occur when people face stressful life problems without an effective coping framework. Multiple randomised trials support PST for depression, especially when linked to real-life problem load.
2. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Building On What Works
   Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, directs attention to what already works — client strengths, past successes, and desired futures — rather than to analyzing problems. Meta-analyses report small-to-moderate positive effects across a range of presenting issues, with particular strength in behavioral problems and depression in adult populations.
3. Generate solutions without premature evaluation
   List as many potential solutions as possible before judging any of them.
   Problem-Solving Therapy, Made Practical
4. Evaluate the outcome and adjust
   After implementing, honestly assess what worked, what didn’t, and what to do next.
   Problem-Solving Therapy, Made Practical
5. Evaluate solutions against costs, benefits, and fit
   Rate each solution on likelihood of success, personal costs, and fit with your values.
   Problem-Solving Therapy, Made Practical
6. Manage emotional arousal before and during problem solving
   Use a brief calming strategy when emotions are too high to solve problems effectively.
   Problem-Solving Therapy, Made Practical
7. Exception Finding: When Is the Problem Already Less Severe?
   Identify times when the problem was absent or less severe — these are evidence that solutions already exist.
   Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Building On What Works
8. Build a positive problem orientation
   Treat problems as normal, solvable challenges rather than signs of personal failure.
   Problem-Solving Therapy, Made Practical
9. Schema Therapy: Healing Early Maladaptive Beliefs
   Schema therapy, developed by Jeffrey Young, extends CBT to address deep, longstanding beliefs about self and others — "early maladaptive schemas" — that formed in childhood and drive chronic emotional and relationship difficulties. It combines cognitive, behavioral, experiential, and relationship elements. Randomized controlled trials show effectiveness for borderline personality disorder and other chronic presentations that standard CBT does not adequately reach. These are psychoeducational principles; full schema therapy belongs with a trained schema therapist.
10. Implement the chosen solution with a concrete plan
    Translate the chosen solution into specific actions, times, and checkpoints.
    Problem-Solving Therapy, Made Practical

Does this sound like the set of challenges you might be facing?

• I’ve got maybe two ideas for what to do about this and both feel hopeless, so I shoot every other thought down before I even finish it→
• I finally tried something and it only half-worked, and my whole brain went "see, nothing I do ever works"→
• I’ve got a few options on the table but I keep drifting toward whichever one scares me least instead of whichever would actually fix things→
• I’m too wound up to think straight about this→
• It feels like this is just how I am→

Describe your situation in your own words to search the complete practice library.