What is Collaborative Problem Solving?®

The Collaborative Problem Solving®(CPS) approach, developed by Think:Kids of the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, starts with the philosophy that all kids want to do well and will do well if they can.  

 

This evidence-based method to managing challenging behaviour promotes the understanding that challenging kids lack the skill –not the will– to behave; specifically, skills related to problem-solving, flexibility, and frustration tolerance.

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Unlike traditional models of discipline, the CPS approach avoids the use of power, control, and motivational procedures, and instead focuses on collaborating with the child/youth/young adult to solve the problems leading to challenging behaviour and building the skills they need to succeed.  

 

Adapted from www.thinkkids.org