Name of the Strategy or Intervention
Problem-Solving Training.
Synonyms
PST
Introduction
Problem-solving training (PST*) is a central component of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and featured prominently in behavioral marital therapy (BMT; also known as traditional behavioral couple therapy). PST* can be thought of as a specialized form of communication training that is specific to helping couples effectively navigate conflict around specific problematic behaviors or circumstances. PST* is aimed at developing the skills for distressed couples to collaborate on generating solutions to especially challenging problems in their relationship (e.g., how to divide financial responsibilities, how to manage in-laws at family dinners).
An important first emphasis in training couples in PST* is that this approach to problem-solving is not necessarily appropriate for all problems. Learning to make the distinction between what problems are and are not resolvable with PST* is an important skill...
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Perry, N.S., Baucom, B.R.W. (2019). Problem-Solving Skills Training in Couple and Family Therapy. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_92
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