Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS)

Too often, children and adolescents with behavioral challenges are misunderstood. The common perception is that all kids could behave well if only they chose to, and that misbehavior is simply a matter of motivation or defiance. Crucially, Collaborative & Proactive Solutions teaches us that “kids do well if they can.” When kids are struggling, it is not because they won’t meet expectations, but because they currently lack the skills to do so. These challenges often arise in moments that require flexibility, frustration tolerance, or problem-solving—skills that are still developing and may need additional support.

Your therapist will begin CPS by working with you to identify your child’s triggers and to better understand the situations where difficulties most often occur. Together, you will determine which underlying skills need to be strengthened, such as flexibility, social perception, executive functioning, language processing, and emotion regulation. From there, you and your therapist will partner with your child to solve problems collaboratively, giving them a voice in the process while also guiding them toward more adaptive responses. This approach not only reduces challenging behaviors but also builds trust, confidence, and stronger parent-child relationships over time.

The Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model was first developed in 1998 and is recognized as an empirically-supported, evidence-based treatment. It has been studied using rigorous research methods, including randomized controlled trials, and has demonstrated effectiveness across a range of concerns, including ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and other behavioral and emotional challenges. By focusing on skill-building rather than punishment, CPS offers a compassionate, practical framework for creating meaningful and lasting change.

To get started with CPS at Central Therapy, contact us today!