Michael Neenan and Stephen Palmer

Problem-focused counselling is a method of teaching or training individuals to identify current problems in their lives and then to learn a series of steps in order to overcome them.  These problems can be of a practical nature (e.g. making a career decision) without any overlapping emotional difficulties (e.g. anxiety about making the wrong decision), but frequently these two elements, the practical and the emotional, are found together in clients' presenting problems.  Therefore, the form of problem-solving presented in this chapter will be double-headed: first, tackling the emotional aspects of a problem; second, once this has been achieved, dealing with its practical aspects.  For example, a client who is depressed (emotional problem) about being in debt (practical problem) struggles unsuccessfully to put his finances in order.  This is because his negative view of himself as a hopeless failure prevents any clear thinking about climbing out of debt.  By being helped to challenge and change his self-image and thereby lift his depression, he is then able to focus his restored energies on taking the necessary practical measures (e.g. cutting down on his drinking and gambling) to reduce or eventually eliminate his debts. 

The double-headed or dual systems approach to problem-focused counselling that we describe in this chapter is essentially a cognitive-behavioural one because it emphasizes the significant impact our thinking has on our emotions and behaviour.  As this problem-solving mode draws on diverse psychological influences it can also be said to belong to the developing phenomenon of integrative counselling.

Further information about this therapeutic approach written by the authors, can be found in "Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Essential Guide", edited by Professor Stephen Palmer and published by Sage, London.  Price £18.99.

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