Guided problem-solving

In the aftermath of disaster, it is likely that individuals will be facing a number of personal, social or financial problems, so it is helpful to narrow down which problem to prioritise focus on first. You can do this by asking the questions, including:

• Which one of these problems is bothering you the most?
• Is there one problem that you really need to deal with, before the other ones you listed?
• Is one of the problems getting worse?
• Is there a problem that you feel most comfortable with working on first?

Once a problem has been prioritized for focus, it is important to clearly define the problem in greater detail, breaking it down into smaller chunks. For some, it can be quite difficult to think clearly and carefully about what the problem involves. To help someone clearly define the problem they have chosen to address, you can ask them some of the following questions:

• How often does the problem happen?
• Who is involved?
• How does the problem make me feel?
• What exactly do I want to achieve from addressing this problem?
• Who is involved in the problem (e.g., specific people, communities, services or organisations)?
• Is this problem something that is happening to me, or between me and someone else?

In the aftermath of disaster, it is not uncommon for people to take on problems that are not necessarily their responsibility to fix. If the problem is happening between an individual and someone else (e.g., fighting with a loved one/family member), then the individual may have a shared responsibility in addressing this problem. Rather, if the problem is mainly happening to someone else or between other people, it is important to the individual become aware that they cannot take primary responsibility for this problem.

Remind individuals that the idea is to prioritise one problem at a time, whilst acknowledging that it is easy to start thinking about other problems as well. Encourage individuals to keep focused on the identified problem, and remind them that they can use the problem solving technique for other problems at a later point.

Help the individual to clarify what they hope to see happen in regards to this problem, by asking:

• What would you like to see happen or change?
• What would you like to see different?
• What is your end goal?

It is important to ensure that the end goal or desire is as realistic and achievable as possible. If you think the goal might be too complex or too big, you may find it helpful to work with the individual to further break the goal or desire down further in short- and long-term goals.

After a realistic and achievable goal has been identified, invite the individual to write down and brainstorm as many ideas, strategies that they can think of that might help solve the problem. When doing this, try to:

• Encourage individuals to include some creative ideas that seem a bit far-fetched (sometimes they contain the seed of a good idea!)
• Encourage solutions that involve seeking social support
• For those that are struggling to identify some solutions, suggest that it can be helpful to imagine how someone else (e.g., a trusted friend or family member) might handle the problem
• Aim for at least 10 ideas, several of which are practical, achievable and useful

As the individual comes up with solutions, you may like to further collaborate with them by suggesting some of these additional solutions:

• Solutions that extend or build on things in the individual’s life that are already helping
• Seeking help/support from other people
• Seeking help/support from other services (it can be helpful to make yourself aware of what disaster-related services are available ahead of time)

Invite the individual to go down the list of possible solutions generated, and:

• Consider the consequences of each of the solutions they have come up with:
  • Invite them to ask themselves, “What would be the likely outcome if I try this one?”
  • Identify the ‘pros and cons’ or ‘pluses and minuses’ of each and rate them as to their likely success.
• Encourage the individual to consider their financial, physical, social and time resources when evaluating the possible solutions
• Invite the individual to cross off any strategies that they think will not work or don’t appeal to them
• Identify the best solution(s) out of the list – choose the one that seems practical and achievable

Explain to the individual that even the best solution to a problem might not work unless you break it down into a series of practical steps or realistic goals – an action plan. Encourage the individual to identify practical and specific ways to activate the plan. Goals and plans should include include:

• The review date by which they will try to achieve each goal
• What specific actions they need to take
• Where (what location) will the action take place
• Who else needs to be informed and involved?
• Who can help them to activate their plan?
• Which action steps will they commit to in the next several days?

Identify any potential hurdles or barriers, and discuss how to overcome them.

When the individual returns for another session or consultation, it is important to review their experiences in activating steps outlined in the action plan. Discussion should include:

• Has the problem been solved? Partly solved? Not solved? Is it necessary to identify any more possible solutions to add to their list?
• What worked and what didn’t? Is Should the Action Plan be modified? Are more steps required?
• If not solved, discuss returning to an earlier step, modifying their action plan and giving it another go
• If the problem has been addressed, consider apply the Problem Solving steps to another problem

Congratulate the individual for any efforts made to take action, explore which steps seemed to be most helpful and discuss how the individual would do things differently if they had the chance.

If you are not likely to see the individual for another session or consultation, encourage the individual to ask themselves the above questions on their review date.