Collaborative Problem Solving

Aaron is trained in Collaborative Problem Solving which is an evidence-based parenting model based on neuroscience research and demonstrated to be effective for addressing behavioural concerns and reducing the conflict that often comes up when we as parents try to discuss concerns with our children. It focuses on identifying the “lagging skills” that lead to the problematic behaviour in the first place and then provides the young person, and just as important their parent, with opportunities to further develop these skills.

Collaborative Problem Solving takes much of the conventional wisdom about parenting, such as the use of punishment and reward, and flips it on its head, thereby avoiding many of the classic problems that traditional approaches do not address and sometimes make worse.

Collaborative Problem Solving is based on the following research-backed ideas:

• Kids and parents want to succeed and do well.

• Problematic behaviours are primarily issues of lagging skills, not will or bad attitude.

• When people have better knowledge, skills, and strategies, they tend to do better.

• Parenting interventions should not only change a current behaviour but teach skills in areas like problem solving, emotional regulation, and communication that lead to the behaviour in the first place.

• The specific collaborative process taught in this model reduces resistance, results in win/win outcomes, and supports kids AND their parents to build the skills that will reduce future problematic behaviours.

While most of Aaron's work with Collaborative Problem Solving has been in support of parents with teens struggling with concurrent mental health and substance use disorders, the model is effective for kids and parents with a wide variety of concerns at stages of development ranging from toddlers to semi-independent young adults. Aaron can provide specific coaching (even in-home on a case-by-case basis) in the use of Collaborative Problem Solving, and also weaves themes and skills from it into much of his general counselling practice.