Session 6

Session 6: Problem-Solving Strategies

SMART goals:  By the end of the eight-hour session, the group will be able to identify at least three new coping skills to alleviate maternal depression.

Objective 1. Introduce multiple coping skills with roleplays.

Agenda: 50 minutes with a 10-minute break

Icebreaker activity~5 minutes

Problem-solving strategies~15 minutes

Role play activity~ 15 minutes

Problem-solving discussion activity~ 10 minutes

Sticky note activity~ 5 minutes

Lesson plan:

Icebreaker activity:

Ask the participants to share out a time when they have used problem-solving skills in order to solve a problem that they have faced in their life.

Problem-solving strategies:

During this session, we will be discussing problem-solving strategies. There are many strategies that may be used regarding maternal depression. One of these strategies is the 5 problem -solving steps which are used in order to help participants manage their environment and cope with different issues (Dobson, 2011).  

  1. Attitude: keep an open mind during the problem-solving process
  2. Define: Curate all facts and details of the problem in order to define the problem. 
  3. Alternatives: Find alternative solutions and actions in order to overcome an obstacle 
  4. Predict: Predict both positive and negative outcomes and pick the solution in which goals are met
  5. Try out: try out the solution and monitor the effectiveness 

There are other strategies that may also be utilized. Some of these strategies include: using a solution that has worked in the past, getting advice from peers or partners, and using trial and error (Dobson, 2011). 

The Kipling method is another method that can be utilized in order to problem solve. This method poses multiple questions in order to determine the problem and potentially how to solve it (Waters, 2022). 

  1. What is the problem?
  2. Why is the problem important?
  3. When did the problem arise?
  4. How did the problem happen?
  5. Where is the problem occurring?
  6. Who does the problem affect?

Role play activity:

Have participants create and act out the prompt below in groups of 2-4 people.

  • Create a scenario where you would need to utilize a problem-solving strategy. Show how you would implement this strategy in a situation that happens in your life.

Problem-solving discussion activity:

Ask the questions below to the participants and ask them to think about each question. After thinking about each answer, have the participants share out in a discussion-style setting.

  • How do you plan to utilize these strategies in your day-to-day life?
  • Which strategy do you plan to use most frequently?
  • Has there been a time when you have used one of these skills in the past?
  • What do you find most challenging about problem-solving?

Sticky note activity:

Each participant should write questions they have about maternal depression on a sticky note and place it in the designated bucket/bowl/hat.

Materials and resources:

Sticky notepad, writing utensils.

References:

Dobson, K. S. (2011). Handbook of cognitive-behavioral therapies (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.

Waters, S. (2022). Problem-solving strategies: How to turn challenges into opportunities. Problem-Solving Strategies: How to Turn Challenges into Opportunities. Retrieved April 23, 2023, from https://www.betterup.com/blog/problem-solving-strategies