Premature Problem-Solving in Counselling

Premature problem-solving can hinder the therapeutic process by focusing too quickly on the client’s issues without fully understanding the client’s deeper concerns. In discussion with my site supervisor, I understood that such a course of action results in misunderstanding the client’s needs and offering solutions based on the most apparent presenting issue. Clients may present a concern that seems to be the most pressing when they enter the therapeutic relationship, but as the relationship develops, one discovers deeper concerns arising (Lavik et al., 2022): Premature Problem-Solving in Counselling.

For instance, during one of the sessions, a client complained about being overwhelmed by family pressure, which, when further probed, was discovered to stem from her failure to set boundaries and concerns of having a fear of disappointing others. Distinguishing this is important because it separates the real cause of the problem from the symptoms. Solving just the symptoms may remedy the situation for some time but may not cure the ailment. According to Opland and Torrico (2024), counselors must spend considerable time identifying the client’s context, feelings, and behaviors before making further recommendations.

It is critical to distinguish between surface and deeper issues when counseling clients to provide meaningful and helpful assistance. It may be classified as the primary issue for which a client seeks help in therapy, for example, anxiety or difficulties in maintaining relationships. However, some of these symptoms may be signs of other potential serious psychiatric problems, including childhood trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, or low self-esteem (Mann et al., 2024).

By questioning the client and going deeper into their past experiences, feelings, and cognitions, the counselor can identify such root causes (Savander et al., 2021). This extensive knowledge makes it possible to design appropriate strategies that treat the pertinent factors, thus facilitating long-term results. In conclusion, awareness of a particular issue leads to efforts to solve the core issues, which enhances the overall efficacy of the therapeutic approach.

References

Lavik, K. O., McAleavey, A. A., Kvendseth, E. K., & Moltu, C. (2022). Relationship and alliance formation processes in psychotherapy: A dual-perspective qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.915932

Mann, S. K., Marwaha, R., & Torrico, T. J. (2024, February 25). Posttraumatic stress disorder. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559129/

Opland, C., & Torrico, T. J. (2024, October 6). Psychotherapy and therapeutic relationship. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608012/

Savander, E. È., Hintikka, J., Wuolio, M., & Peräkylä, A. (2021). The patients’ practises disclosing subjective experiences in the psychiatric intake interview. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.605760

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Unit 2 DB: Initial Session
You will consider one of your cases to support responding to this discussion board. Discuss with your site supervisor premature problem-solving. Premature problem-solving can occur when counselors focus on the presenting problem or assume they know the problem. They start to solve a matter that is not the source of the client’s concern.

Clients come to counseling identifying a problem. However, sometimes this is not the source of the clients issue or the problem that we address. This may be the issue the client presents but after spending time with a client, you may learn that there is another problem the client may not be aware of or was hesitant to discuss. For instance, the client may state they have a lot of things to do each day. Having a lot to do may appear to be the problem, but perhaps the client has trouble with saying no.

Premature Problem-Solving in Counselling

You will explore the importance of distinguishing the difference between presenting problem and the emerging or underlying problem. Conduct some research on your own. Please do not use AI to respond to this discussion. Provide an overview of what you learned giving a rationale for the importance of avoiding premature problem solving. Give one example of a presenting problem and an underlying problem from one of your cases. Provide one additional source to support your learning. You should use citations and one reference. This is not a substantive response but should address the prompt and demonstrate critical thinking.

Readings & Resources:

• Basic Counseling Skills

Notes:

• field experience site:
  • Name of Agency: Serenity Recovery Centers
    • Full address: 1094 Poplar Avenue Memphis TN 38105
    • Website:serenityrecovery.org