Effective problem-identification and problem-solving in counselling – in 4 steps

Discover how to identify and address your (or your client’s ) problems effectively

You’re searching out information about problem-solving in counselling as a beginning therapist or as a client. I’ve got you either way.

What qualifies me to write about problem-solving skills in the counselling process?

Well, I’ve 24 years experiences in counselling – you can find out about my counselling/therapy journey on my About page.

It’s my aim to walk you through my strategy for problem-identification and solving problems in the counselling process.

If you’re here as a client, please note, that the steps below are only a small and specific part of how a therapist might help you in counselling. There’s much more to being an effective counsellor!

Nevertheless, problem-solving is an essential part of the counselling process.

As a therapist, you’ll want to know how to deal with challenges in the client-counsellor relationship as well as helping a client to deal with their particular issues.

Let’s start with taking a look at why effective problem-identification is so important…

Identifying the problem

Uncovering essential information as part of your problem-solving strategy in counselling will prevent you from:

• solving only part of the problem and the real problem rearing it’s ugly head again in the future
• solving a problem that’s really only a diversion – a red herring.
• solving a problem that’s only a symptom of an underlying issue
• misusing your resources (usually your imagination!) or leaving vital resources unused
• becoming too absorbed and emotional reducing your ability to consider the problem in a wider context.

Abstract and over-generalised thinking causes minor issues to appear much bigger than they really are. And, significant problems are more likely to appear unmanageable.

Problem-solving skills in counselling

As a therapist or counsellor you need to be adept at problem-solving skills before you can teach and empower a client to solve their own problems.

Whether or not you are a (beginning) therapist, here’s what I would do…

Firstly

As human beings, the more emotional we are, the more limited our thinking becomes. We get stuck through black and white thinking. Not very helpful if we need to identify and analyse a problem!

My first strategy, therefore, is to calm yourself with a breathing exercise. You’ll find one in my article Uncommon stress relief tips.

(As a therapist, I would, of course, have already established rapport with my client.)

Abstract and over-generalised thinking causes minor issues to appear much bigger than they really are.

Secondly

Familiarise yourself with your essential emotional needs and your innate resources – the human givens (article includes a free worksheet). In other words, get back to the basics – know what you were born with.

When you can meet your essential needs in balance, making good use of your inborn resources, you and your loved ones are much more likely to thrive.

These two steps should ideally form the basis of your problem-solving strategy in counselling.

Case study of the application of my problem-solving strategy

The case study below is an example of how a sense of calmness and careful examination of the problem simply made it disappear.

My client here was a young person in college but the problem-solving strategy could be applied to any situation.

Problem-identification in the counselling process

Step 1: identify the problem by gathering essential information

The real problem may actually be very different from the one you think you have! Take your time with my problem-solving techniques – there’s no need to rush the steps.

Don’t even worry if it takes you several days to answer the questions – think of this as a project and a new start.  So why not pour yourself a drink, kick off your shoes and get started…

Take a big sheet of paper, draw a circle for each of the contributing factors and write in the details to start off your problem-solving steps:

Identify the timing

1. When exactly does the problem occur?
2. When exactly is it at its worst?
3. When does it not occur?
4. Can you identify a pattern from this information?

Identify the place

1. Where exactly does the problem mostly occur?
2. Where does it not occur?
3. Can you identify a pattern?

Identify the sequence in the process

1. What exactly happens before the problem occurs?
2. How exactly does the problem start?
3. What happens that causes the problem to continue?
4. What exactly was your train of thought?
5. What are you doing/feeling/seeing/hearing?
6. Can you identify a pattern?

Gather information about other people

Friend or foe – how are they detracting from or contributing to your problem?

1. What significant people are present or absent when the problem occurs?
2. What do others/your partner/friend/colleague/family think about the problem?
3. Who doesn’t know about the problem and should know?
4. What do you anticipate they might think when they find out?
5. Can one of them play devil’s advocate to give you a completely different perspective?
6. Can you identify a pattern from the information you’ve gathered?

Become clear about your (client’s) role

1. What part of the problem is for you to sort out and no-one else?
2. What do you think are your personal weaknesses?
3. What evidence of those do you have?
4. What actions can you take to turn those weaknesses into strengths?
5. Are you able to separate yourself from the problem by giving it a colour, name or shape?
6. What part of the problem do you actually have (some) control over? 
7. What assumptions did you make when you previously tried to sort out this problem?
8. Do you need help with the problem?

Problem-solving in the counselling process

A hugely important part of my counselling process was to identify my client’s resources.

Identify your (client’s) resources and strengths

The most important aspect of any problem-solving strategy is to take stock of your personal resources for solving the problem(s).

1. What parts of your role as a partner/colleague/employee/friend are working well?
2. What evidence do you have for that?
3. What exactly are you doing that makes it work well?
4. What skills and resources do you use in your spare time and at work?
5. What are your achievements? (These could be large one-offs or simple everyday ones, e.g. passing your driving test, getting your PhD or cooking a meal)
6. Who has solved a similar problem? How did they do it?
7. Who can help and/or advise you whilst remaining objective?
8. Who can support and encourage you whilst remaining objective?
9. Who do you admire? And how do you imagine they might have solved the problem?
10. What would you consider to be life’s little treats? (e.g. a hot bath, first flowers in spring, looking at art, reading an inspiring book, etc.) It’s vital to be aware of what would make you feel good, what you consider to be a reward when you want to recharge your energy.

Beyond the problem

1. What would you be doing/concentrating on if you didn’t have this particular problem right now?
2. How exactly would you and/or the situation be different?
3. What would your friends/family/colleagues notice about you/the situation?
4. What would happen if you just ignored the problem?
5. Could you view the present situation as an alternative solution, even though it’s clearly not ideal?
6. Are there any possible benefits of the situation?
7. Can you make any other changes, without having to solve the problem first?
8. How would you ideally like it to end?
9. What small steps can you take towards an eventual solution or part-solution?
10. What can you do today that will make a difference tomorrow?
11. Are there any other opportunities to turn a negative in a positive?
12. What will you settle for if all else fails?

Solving problems in counselling

Step 2: analyse and identify the exact problem

You’ll have already gathered specific details about the problem(s).

So, take a deep breath, have a break and make yourself another drink. Then we can continue problem-identification in the counselling process …

• Decide on your headings: either for every aspect of that one problem or for all of the different problems. Break things up into smaller parts if necessary
• Draw a mind map or flow-chart, or draw the problem in whatever way makes sense to you
• Include your resources (i.e. your strengths and capabilities) under each heading
• Think about whose problem it really is – it might not be yours… but do be honest with yourself
• Write a short statement about how you feel about the problem and what exactly it is (this will help you to communicate more effectively with others)

How to solve problems in the counselling process

Step 3: Solving the problem(s)

The tree which moves some to tears of you, is in the eyes of others merely a green thing that stands in the way.”

William Blake

The next strategy is to devise a solution – finally!

10-point problem-solving plan

1. Decide what the ideal solution for you would be.
2. Decide what you can live with.
3. Decide on an alternative solution.
4. Decide on the steps you can take right now to bring about some change. This will help you to feel more positive and in control.
5. Decide who you need to ask for help.
6. Decide what you think other people might need from you and check with them.
7. Decide who you need to have a conversation with, what you would say and when that might be possible.
8. Make a list with exact timings of your planned actions. This is one of the most important techniques.
9. Set a review date to hold yourself (and maybe others) to account.
10. Sleep on it, but have a notepad by the side of your bed. Just as you drift off you may come up with a brilliant idea. If you don’t write it down there and then, you’ll probably have forgotten by the morning!

You’ve now identified exactly what the problems and potential solutions are. Perhaps you’ve even broken them up into smaller parts.  

The next step is to deal with the smallest (or easiest) one first, to help build your confidence.

Alternatively, you can decide to go for the big one the moment you get out of bed and … get it done!

Step 4 – Review your problem-solving strategies

There’s no point in having a plan with problem-solving strategies if you don’t take the time to review it.

As a counsellor, I would use the following counselling sessions to keep track of my client’s progress, of course.

If you’re working by yourself, you’ll need to also check your progress against your action points and their respective dates. 

The following questions will help you to mark the progress you’ve made…

1. What precise steps have you taken to solve the problem (or even just part of it)?
2. Which strategies were successful and which were less so?
3. What should you continue to do? (i.e. what works!)
4. What parts of the plan could do with an update?
5. Are other people keeping to their side of the bargain?
6. What can you do to encourage or remind them?
7. Set another review date.

There is no failure, only feedback!

Finally

The above problem-solving strategies in counselling can stop you from getting stuck and becoming overwhelmed.

Once you’ve got a robust process in place, you’ll be able to work through any problem you encounter now and in the future.

All you have to remember is to stay calm, ask the right questions, and draw on your innate resources to make your solutions a reality.

You’ve got this!

Other Helpful Links

The Six Types of Socratic Questions