Problem-Solving Therapy: A Treatment Manual / Edition 1

by Arthur M. Nezu PhD, ABPP, Christine Maguth Nezu PhD, ABPP, Thomas D'Zurilla PhD

Overview

Problem-Solving Therapy: A Treatment Manual is a laudable and distinctive resource that contributes to contemporary and exemplary psychotherapy in a big way."—New England Psychologist

Through Problem-Solving Therapy: A Treatment Manual, Nezu and colleagues offer an excellent manual that has the potential to help a wide range of individuals cope with life's challenges. This book is an invaluable addition to any practicing psychologist's bookshelf."—PsycCRITIQUES

Problem-solving therapy (PST) has been increasingly used to treat a variety of health and mental health problems due to its flexibility and proven effectiveness. This text, written by the co-developers of PST, is a comprehensive and detailed manual of how to apply PST to a wide variety of populations and situations. It reflects the significant conceptual and clinical revisions that supersede earlier versions of PST, and is based on the authors' clinical and research experience, the treatment outcome literature, and advances in related areas of psychology and neuroscience research.

The book offers specific treatment guidelines, sample client-therapist dialogues, clinical exercises and activities, homework assignments, client handouts, clinical case examples, and worksheets. These resources are based on a "stepped-care" model of PST that takes into account the nature of a client's problems, the intensity of these problems, the setting and treatment structure, and treatment goals. The manual offers clients four major "toolkits," which include a multitasking guide to overcoming "cognitive overload" when under stress, a guide to overcoming problems related to emotional dysregulation, a guide to overcoming barriers to effective problem-solving through use of healthy thinking and positive imagery, and a guide to fostering effective problem-solving by designing and employing a rational plan. Digital accompaniments include patient handouts, worksheets, and toolkits. Intended for use by a wide variety of mental health professionals in multiple settings, the manual can also serve as a text for both undergraduate and applied graduate courses.

Key Features:

• Describes an increasingly popular psychotherapeutic intervention that works for multiple client populations and can be combined with other treatment modalities
• Authored by the co-developers of PST
• Provides the most up-to-date, detailed guidelines to PST
• Presents treatment guidelines, case examples, and numerous clinical aids
• Includes digital components, such as patient handouts, homework worksheets, and toolkits

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826109408
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	12/11/2012
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	700,859
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Arthur M. Nezu, PhD, ABPP, is Distinguished University Professor of Psychology, Professor of Medicine, and Professor of Public Health, Drexel University; and Special Professor of Forensic Mental Health & Psychiatry, The University of Nottingham, UK. He is the Editor of Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology; Past President/Head, Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, American Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology, World Congress of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, and Behavioral Psychology Specialty Council. He is the author of over 90 journal articles, 75 book chapters, and over 20 books.

Christine Maguth Nezu, PhD, ABPP, is professor of psychology and associate professor of medicine at Drexel University.

Thomas J. D’Zurilla, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology at Stony Brook University.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Section I Conceptual and Empirical Considerations

1 Introduction, Brief History, and Social Problem-Solving Constructs 3

2 A Problem-Solving Approach to Understanding Psychopathology: A Diathesis-Stress Model 17

3 Problem-Solving Therapy: Empirical Support and Flexibility of Applications 37

Section II Assessment, Treatment Planning, and General Clinical Considerations

4 Assessment and Treatment Planning Issues 53

5 General Clinical Considerations 69

Section III Problem-Solving Therapy: Specific Treatment Guidelines

6 Overview of the Problem-Solving Therapy Process, Introductory Sessions, and the Case of "Megan" 81

7 Toolkit #1-Problem-Solving Multitasking: Overcoming Cognitive Overload 105

8 Toolkit #2-The SSTA Method: Overcoming Emotional Dysregulation and Maladaptive Problem Solving Under Stress 115

9 Toolkit #3-Heakhy Thinking and Positive Imagery: Overcoming Negative Thinking and Low Motivation 145

10 Toolkit #4-Planful Problem Solving: Fostering Effective Problem Solving 171

11 Guided Practice, Future Forecasting, and Termination 221

References 235

Appendices

I Instructions for Scoring the Problem-Solving Test 253

II Patient Handouts: Figures, Forms, and Worksheets 255

III Patient Handouts: Brief Instructional Booklets 279

Index 317