Generation of alternative solutions

Generation of alternative solutions is the part of problem solving which the therapist hopes the patient will in the end develop for themselves.

The important features of the generation are:

• the ideas should be from the patient, not from the doctor. This homespun generation prevents the dependence of the patient on others for actually coming up with solutions, and defines problem solving as a taught exercise, as opposed to a service.
• quantity of ideas is important - brainstorming is the key idea - as many ideas as possible
• postponing judgement, where no idea is rejected outright means that all the alternatives can be properly examined.

If the patient dries up completely, then a useful technique is for the therapist to suggest a relatively stupid option. This has the dual advantage of pointing out to the patient that it is the quantity and not quality of the ideas that is important, and that it is unlikely to be picked as the final solution, ie the solution will be homespun.