Collaborative Problem Solving

by J. Stuart Ablon, Alisha R. Pollastri

An essential guide to the Collaborative Problem Solving approach for anyone working with children outside of a school setting. The Collaborative Problem Solving approach recognizes that kids don't lack the will to behave well, they lack the skills to behave well. The process begins with identifying triggers to a child's challenging behavior and the specific skills they need help developing. The next step involves partnering with the child to build these skills and develop lasting solutions to problems that work for everyone.

In this guide, clinical staff, parents, guardians, and other CPS trainees will find crucial information about the guiding philosophy of the approach; the cognitive skills that contribute to children’s behavior; the key aspects of a CPS assessment; information on planning and prioritizing the treatment; and step-by-step instructions for completing
CPS itself.
Full color throughout

6 pages, Loose Leaf

Published October 5, 2021

About the author

J. Stuart Ablon, Ph.D., is the Director of Think:Kids in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is also Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ablon co-founded the Center for Collaborative Problem Solving where he also served as Co-Director from its inception until 2008. Dr. Ablon is co-author of Treating Explosive Kids: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach and author of numerous articles, chapters and scientific papers on the process and outcome of psychosocial interventions. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Dr. Ablon was recently ranked #5 on the list of the world’s top rated keynote speakers in the academic arena.

Dr. Ablon’s research has been funded by, amongst others, the National Institute of Health, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychoanalytic Association, the International Psychoanalytic Association, the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Institute, and the Endowment for the Advancement of Psychotherapy. Dr. Ablon received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of California at Berkeley and completed his predoctoral and postdoctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ablon trains parents, educators, and clinicians and consults to schools and treatment programs throughout the world in the Collaborative Problem Solving approach.