problem solving and decision making worksheet

10 Best Problem-Solving Therapy Worksheets & Activities

Cognitive science tells us that we regularly face not only well-defined problems but, importantly, many that are ill defined (Eysenck & Keane, 2015).

Sometimes, we find ourselves unable to overcome our daily problems or the inevitable (though hopefully infrequent) life traumas we face.

Problem-Solving Therapy aims to reduce the incidence and impact of mental health disorders and improve wellbeing by helping clients face life’s difficulties (Dobson, 2011).

This article introduces Problem-Solving Therapy and offers techniques, activities, and worksheets that mental health professionals can use with clients.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology, including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains:

What is problem-solving therapy, 14 steps for problem-solving therapy, 3 best interventions and techniques, 7 activities and worksheets for your session, fascinating books on the topic, resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message.

Problem-Solving Therapy assumes that mental disorders arise in response to ineffective or maladaptive coping. By adopting a more realistic and optimistic view of coping, individuals can understand the role of emotions and develop actions to reduce distress and maintain mental wellbeing (Nezu & Nezu, 2009).

“Problem-solving therapy (PST) is a psychosocial intervention, generally considered to be under a cognitive-behavioral umbrella” (Nezu, Nezu, & D’Zurilla, 2013, p. ix). It aims to encourage the client to cope better with day-to-day problems and traumatic events and reduce their impact on mental and physical wellbeing.

Clinical research, counseling, and health psychology have shown PST to be highly effective in clients of all ages, ranging from children to the elderly, across multiple clinical settings, including schizophrenia, stress, and anxiety disorders (Dobson, 2011).

Can it help with depression?

PST appears particularly helpful in treating clients with depression. A recent analysis of 30 studies found that PST was an effective treatment with a similar degree of success as other successful therapies targeting depression (Cuijpers, Wit, Kleiboer, Karyotaki, & Ebert, 2020).

Other studies confirm the value of PST and its effectiveness at treating depression in multiple age groups and its capacity to combine with other therapies, including drug treatments (Dobson, 2011).

The major concepts

Effective coping varies depending on the situation, and treatment typically focuses on improving the environment and reducing emotional distress (Dobson, 2011).

PST is based on two overlapping models:

Social problem-solving model

This model focuses on solving the problem “as it occurs in the natural social environment,” combined with a general coping strategy and a method of self-control (Dobson, 2011, p. 198).

The model includes three central concepts:

• Social problem-solving
• The problem
• The solution

The model is a “self-directed cognitive-behavioral process by which an individual, couple, or group attempts to identify or discover effective solutions for specific problems encountered in everyday living” (Dobson, 2011, p. 199).

Relational problem-solving model

The theory of PST is underpinned by a relational problem-solving model, whereby stress is viewed in terms of the relationships between three factors:

• Stressful life events
• Emotional distress and wellbeing
• Problem-solving coping

Therefore, when a significant adverse life event occurs, it may require “sweeping readjustments in a person’s life” (Dobson, 2011, p. 202).

• Enhance positive problem orientation
• Decrease negative orientation
• Foster ability to apply rational problem-solving skills
• Reduce the tendency to avoid problem-solving
• Minimize the tendency to be careless and impulsive

D’Zurilla’s and Nezu’s model includes (modified from Dobson, 2011):

• Initial structuring Establish a positive therapeutic relationship that encourages optimism and explains the PST approach.
• Assessment Formally and informally assess areas of stress in the client’s life and their problem-solving strengths and weaknesses.
• Obstacles to effective problem-solving Explore typically human challenges to problem-solving, such as multitasking and the negative impact of stress. Introduce tools that can help, such as making lists, visualization, and breaking complex problems down.
• Problem orientation – fostering self-efficacy Introduce the importance of a positive problem orientation, adopting tools, such as visualization, to promote self-efficacy.
• Problem orientation – recognizing problems Help clients recognize issues as they occur and use problem checklists to ‘normalize’ the experience.
• Problem orientation – seeing problems as challenges Encourage clients to break free of harmful and restricted ways of thinking while learning how to argue from another point of view.
• Problem orientation – use and control emotions Help clients understand the role of emotions in problem-solving, including using feelings to inform the process and managing disruptive emotions (such as cognitive reframing and relaxation exercises).
• Problem orientation – stop and think Teach clients how to reduce impulsive and avoidance tendencies (visualizing a stop sign or traffic light).
• Problem definition and formulation Encourage an understanding of the nature of problems and set realistic goals and objectives.
• Generation of alternatives Work with clients to help them recognize the wide range of potential solutions to each problem (for example, brainstorming).
• Decision-making Encourage better decision-making through an improved understanding of the consequences of decisions and the value and likelihood of different outcomes.
• Solution implementation and verification Foster the client’s ability to carry out a solution plan, monitor its outcome, evaluate its effectiveness, and use self-reinforcement to increase the chance of success.
• Guided practice Encourage the application of problem-solving skills across multiple domains and future stressful problems.
• Rapid problem-solving Teach clients how to apply problem-solving questions and guidelines quickly in any given situation.

Success in PST depends on the effectiveness of its implementation; using the right approach is crucial (Dobson, 2011).

Problem-solving therapy – Baycrest

The following interventions and techniques are helpful when implementing more effective problem-solving approaches in client’s lives.

First, it is essential to consider if PST is the best approach for the client, based on the problems they present.

Is PPT appropriate?

It is vital to consider whether PST is appropriate for the client’s situation. Therapists new to the approach may require additional guidance (Nezu et al., 2013).

Therapists should consider the following questions before beginning PST with a client (modified from Nezu et al., 2013):

• Has PST proven effective in the past for the problem? For example, research has shown success with depression, generalized anxiety, back pain, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and supporting caregivers (Nezu et al., 2013).
• Is PST acceptable to the client?
• Is the individual experiencing a significant mental or physical health problem?

All affirmative answers suggest that PST would be a helpful technique to apply in this instance.

Five problem-solving steps

The following five steps are valuable when working with clients to help them cope with and manage their environment (modified from Dobson, 2011).

Ask the client to consider the following points (forming the acronym ADAPT) when confronted by a problem:

• Attitude Aim to adopt a positive, optimistic attitude to the problem and problem-solving process.
• Define Obtain all required facts and details of potential obstacles to define the problem.
• Alternatives Identify various alternative solutions and actions to overcome the obstacle and achieve the problem-solving goal.
• Predict Predict each alternative’s positive and negative outcomes and choose the one most likely to achieve the goal and maximize the benefits.
• Try out Once selected, try out the solution and monitor its effectiveness while engaging in self-reinforcement.

If the client is not satisfied with their solution, they can return to step ‘A’ and find a more appropriate solution.

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Positive self-statements

When dealing with clients facing negative self-beliefs, it can be helpful for them to use positive self-statements.

Use the following (or add new) self-statements to replace harmful, negative thinking (modified from Dobson, 2011):

• I can solve this problem; I’ve tackled similar ones before.
• I can cope with this.
• I just need to take a breath and relax.
• Once I start, it will be easier.
• It’s okay to look out for myself.
• I can get help if needed.
• Other people feel the same way I do.
• I’ll take one piece of the problem at a time.
• I can keep my fears in check.
• I don’t need to please everyone.

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PST practitioners have many different techniques available to support clients as they learn to tackle day-to-day or one-off trauma.

5 Worksheets and workbooks

Problem-solving self-monitoring form.

Ask the client to complete the following:

• Describe the problem you are facing.
• What is your goal?
• What have you tried so far to solve the problem?
• What was the outcome?

Reactions to Stress

It can be helpful for the client to recognize their own experiences of stress. Do they react angrily, withdraw, or give up (Dobson, 2011)?

The Reactions to Stress worksheet can be given to the client as homework to capture stressful events and their reactions. By recording how they felt, behaved, and thought, they can recognize repeating patterns.

What Are Your Unique Triggers?

Helping clients capture triggers for their stressful reactions can encourage emotional regulation.

When clients can identify triggers that may lead to a negative response, they can stop the experience or slow down their emotional reaction (Dobson, 2011).

The What Are Your Unique Triggers ? worksheet helps the client identify their triggers (e.g., conflict, relationships, physical environment, etc.).

Problem-Solving worksheet

Imagining an existing or potential problem and working through how to resolve it can be a powerful exercise for the client.

Use the Problem-Solving worksheet to state a problem and goal and consider the obstacles in the way. Then explore options for achieving the goal, along with their pros and cons, to assess the best action plan.

Getting the Facts

Clients can become better equipped to tackle problems and choose the right course of action by recognizing facts versus assumptions and gathering all the necessary information (Dobson, 2011).

Use the Getting the Facts worksheet to answer the following questions clearly and unambiguously:

• Who is involved?
• What did or did not happen, and how did it bother you?
• Where did it happen?
• When did it happen?
• Why did it happen?
• How did you respond?

2 Helpful Group Activities

While therapists can use the worksheets above in group situations, the following two interventions work particularly well with more than one person.

Generating Alternative Solutions and Better Decision-Making

A group setting can provide an ideal opportunity to share a problem and identify potential solutions arising from multiple perspectives.

Use the Generating Alternative Solutions and Better Decision-Making worksheet and ask the client to explain the situation or problem to the group and the obstacles in the way.

Once the approaches are captured and reviewed, the individual can share their decision-making process with the group if they want further feedback.

Visualization

Visualization can be performed with individuals or in a group setting to help clients solve problems in multiple ways, including (Dobson, 2011):

• Clarifying the problem by looking at it from multiple perspectives
• Rehearsing a solution in the mind to improve and get more practice
• Visualizing a ‘safe place’ for relaxation, slowing down, and stress management

Guided imagery is particularly valuable for encouraging the group to take a ‘mental vacation’ and let go of stress.

Ask the group to begin with slow, deep breathing that fills the entire diaphragm. Then ask them to visualize a favorite scene (real or imagined) that makes them feel relaxed, perhaps beside a gently flowing river, a summer meadow, or at the beach.

The more the senses are engaged, the more real the experience. Ask the group to think about what they can hear, see, touch, smell, and even taste.

Encourage them to experience the situation as fully as possible, immersing themselves and enjoying their place of safety.

Such feelings of relaxation may be able to help clients fall asleep, relieve stress, and become more ready to solve problems.

We have included three of our favorite books on the subject of Problem-Solving Therapy below.

1. Problem-Solving Therapy: A Treatment Manual – Arthur Nezu, Christine Maguth Nezu, and Thomas D’Zurilla

This is an incredibly valuable book for anyone wishing to understand the principles and practice behind PST.

Written by the co-developers of PST, the manual provides powerful toolkits to overcome cognitive overload, emotional dysregulation, and the barriers to practical problem-solving.

Find the book on Amazon .

2. Emotion-Centered Problem-Solving Therapy: Treatment Guidelines – Arthur Nezu and Christine Maguth Nezu

Another, more recent, book from the creators of PST, this text includes important advances in neuroscience underpinning the role of emotion in behavioral treatment.

Along with clinical examples, the book also includes crucial toolkits that form part of a stepped model for the application of PST.

3. Handbook of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies – Keith Dobson and David Dozois

This is the fourth edition of a hugely popular guide to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies and includes a valuable and insightful section on Problem-Solving Therapy.

This is an important book for students and more experienced therapists wishing to form a high-level and in-depth understanding of the tools and techniques available to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists.

For even more tools to help strengthen your clients’ problem-solving skills, check out the following free worksheets from our blog.

• Case Formulation Worksheet This worksheet presents a four-step framework to help therapists and their clients come to a shared understanding of the client’s presenting problem.
• Understanding Your Default Problem-Solving Approach This worksheet poses a series of questions helping clients reflect on their typical cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to problems.
• Social Problem Solving: Step by Step This worksheet presents a streamlined template to help clients define a problem, generate possible courses of action, and evaluate the effectiveness of an implemented solution.

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While we are born problem-solvers, facing an incredibly diverse set of challenges daily, we sometimes need support.

Problem-Solving Therapy aims to reduce stress and associated mental health disorders and improve wellbeing by improving our ability to cope. PST is valuable in diverse clinical settings, ranging from depression to schizophrenia, with research suggesting it as a highly effective treatment for teaching coping strategies and reducing emotional distress.

Many PST techniques are available to help improve clients’ positive outlook on obstacles while reducing avoidance of problem situations and the tendency to be careless and impulsive.

The PST model typically assesses the client’s strengths, weaknesses, and coping strategies when facing problems before encouraging a healthy experience of and relationship with problem-solving.

Why not use this article to explore the theory behind PST and try out some of our powerful tools and interventions with your clients to help them with their decision-making, coping, and problem-solving?

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free .

• Cuijpers, P., Wit, L., Kleiboer, A., Karyotaki, E., & Ebert, D. (2020). Problem-solving therapy for adult depression: An updated meta-analysis. European P sychiatry ,  48 (1), 27–37.
• Dobson, K. S. (2011). Handbook of cognitive-behavioral therapies (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
• Dobson, K. S., & Dozois, D. J. A. (2021). Handbook of cognitive-behavioral therapies  (4th ed.). Guilford Press.
• Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive psychology: A student’s handbook . Psychology Press.
• Nezu, A. M., & Nezu, C. M. (2009). Problem-solving therapy DVD . Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/pubs/videos/4310852
• Nezu, A. M., & Nezu, C. M. (2018). Emotion-centered problem-solving therapy: Treatment guidelines. Springer.
• Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., & D’Zurilla, T. J. (2013). Problem-solving therapy: A treatment manual . Springer.

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Decision Making Worksheets

Rate Yourself

Immediate And Possible Effects

Considering Options

What Will You Do?

Pros And Cons Table

Picking The Best Option

Doing It Or Not

Questions And Listing

Thinking Of Alternatives

Who Decides?

What’s At Stake?

Rational Decision Making

If You Make A Change

Ethical Decisions

The Thinking Process

All about these 15 worksheets.

Effective decision-making is a vital skill for students to develop as they navigate various aspects of their lives. This series of 15 worksheets has been thoughtfully designed to help students understand and practice the process of decision-making. Each worksheet focuses on different aspects of decision-making, providing guidance, prompts, and exercises to enhance students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The worksheets in this series cover various elements of decision-making, including identifying options, evaluating pros and cons, considering consequences, weighing priorities, and reflecting on decision outcomes. By engaging with these worksheets, students will develop the skills necessary to make informed choices, consider different perspectives, and evaluate the potential impact of their decisions. Through these worksheets, students will:

• Think creatively and explore different possibilities before evaluating each option;
• Analyze the potential advantages and disadvantages, considering factors such as feasibility, impact, and alignment with their goals;
• Reflect on their personal priorities and use them as a basis for evaluating and ranking their options;
• Assess the effectiveness of their decision-making process, identifying areas for improvement and learning from their experiences;
• And consider ethical dilemmas and apply ethical frameworks to analyze and make decisions that align with their values and principles.

By engaging with these Decision-Making worksheets, students will develop valuable critical thinking skills, enhance their problem-solving abilities, and approach decision-making with confidence. These practical exercises and reflections provide a foundation for them to make well-informed choices, consider different perspectives, and evaluate the potential impact of their decisions. In summary, these worksheets foster a systematic and thoughtful approach to decision-making, empowering students to navigate complex situations effectively and achieve their goals.

How to Improve Your Decision Making

In life, there are many decisions to be made. You will come across countless opportunities and have the freedom and responsibility to make the correct decision. Decision-making is also a considerable part of any workplace. You should be able to make efficient and quick decisions that will help you save time and make the best use of your resources.

When making decisions, you need to sort through some choices in your head and look at information from all angles. This will allow you to make a well-informed decision you will not regret later in life.

Here are some ways you can improve your decision-making skills:

1. Come Up with a Plan

If you know that you will have a decision to make soon, you must come up with a plan beforehand. For example, if you have to decide how to get your team to meet your company’s goals, make notes about the size of your team and come up with individual goals before you address the primary matter.

Before making a decision, you should examine all the resources and materials around you. Most people feel overwhelmed when making a decision, but planning ahead can reduce the stress you might feel at the moment. You must clarify your priorities and how you want to accomplish them. Clear goals are essential to making the correct decision. You should be able to think long-term instead of making decisions that will benefit you at the moment but bring up a stream of problems for you in the future.

2. Be Assertive

Decision-making does not have to be scary. You need to feel in command before you take any big step. Even though you might not feel confident, you mustn’t doubt yourself. Self-doubt only makes it difficult to make decisions.

However, this does not mean rushing into anything. You need to use your three brains. This means listening to the part of your brain that solves problems and is creative, as well as the heart side of the brain that is compassionate and passionate. Lastly, you need to listen to the gut side of your brain that will give you the courage to make decisions.

3. Understand How You Will Benefit

Failure to make good decisions can point to how we manage our interests and how attached we are to people. Before you make a decision, determine how your decision might benefit you. Recognize that you are emotionally attached to the people in the situation.

You should also check in with yourself to see if there is any past memory triggering you or holding you back from making a decision. If need be, ask a trusted partner for help and advice, and then make up your mind.

4. Keep Your Biases in Check

Decision-making is a leadership quality everyone can have, as long as they work towards it. However, sometimes you might find that time pressure is too high, and you do not have enough information available.

Some leaders rely on their gut to make decisions. While being in tune with your intuition is definitely helpful, you must also self-reflect and realize that personal biases may drive your decisions. When making a decision, it is vital to be impartial and factful. Do not favor your friends and overlook those you do not get along with. Instead, making a just decision that would be mutually beneficial to everyone.

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Quick activity

Decision-making and problem-solving: class activity.

This resource has undergone expert review.

Resource Overview

Attachments, time allocated, links to national curriculum.

• ACPPS073 (Yr 7–8)
• ACPPS091 (Yr 9–10)
• ACPPS093 (Yr 9–10)
• ACPPS095 (Yr 9–10)

Previously known as Climate Schools, OurFutures was developed by researchers based at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney, Australia. See the OurFutures website for more information.

Class activity with time for individual work.

• Print or electronically share the “ Decision-making and problem-solving ” worksheet (attached).
• Be familiar with decision-making/problem-solving process outlined below.

The aim of this activity is to teach students the steps involved in effective decision-making/problem-solving. This skill is a useful skill for students to learn, as it will assist students to consider all the options that are available to them and the related consequences of each option when they are making a decision or solving a potential problem. Decision making/problem solving can be one skill used to help students to make an informed decision if they are considering either initiating or ceasing drug use.

Part 1: Give the class a quick overview of the steps involved in the decision-making/problem-solving process.

The steps involved in decision-making/problem-solving:

• Define the problem or the decision to be made.
• Consider all the possible options/alternatives to solve the problem or decision.
• Write down all the positives and negatives for each option/alternative.
• Weight all the positives and negatives for each option.
• Select the best alternative.
• Implement the solution.
• Monitor progress.
• Review and learn from your experience.

Part 2: The easiest way to introduce this process to students is by example. Ask students to think of something they want to change or make a decision about. Hand out the individual worksheets for students to complete.

• Students learn a structured process to assist with decision-making and problem solving.

Secondary teachers reviewed this and other OurFutures activities, with 92.3% rating these activities as good or very good. This particular activity was among the most popular activities selected for implementation by teachers.

The benefits of implementing individual activities from OurFutures has not been examined. The benefits of implementing the entire 6 session OurFutures program has been supported by multiple research studies, see OurFutures: Alcohol & Cannabis Module.

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Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Worksheet Pack

Table of Contents

8 steps for Strategic Problem-Solving in Your Homeschool

Teach Critical thinking with the decision-making and problem-solving worksheet pack

Everyone needs help learning decision-making skills and how to problem-solve. It’s not just a math skill, is it?!? It’s a life skill. Using the steps in the Strategic Problem Solving Worksheet pack will help your family master the art of problem-solving for many of life’s challenging situations. So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!

Step 1: Identify The Problem

Younger students may need help with this step, but middle school students and higher should be able to exercise the problem-solving skills needed in this first step.

Break your problem down into smaller steps and decide what you need to act on first. Before you define a problem, it might feel vague or confusing. Writing out your problem will help to:

• organize information,
• see it from a new perspective, and
• identify the most important issues.

You will want to answer these questions:

• When and where does the problem occur?
• What are the causes of the problem?  Think about all the possible causes. Consider your own behavior as well as external factors .
• Define your problem.  Be as clear and comprehensive as possible. If there are many parts to the problem, describe each of them.

Life Skill Tip:  If you are finding it difficult to separate your emotions from the problem, try to complete this step from the perspective of an impartial friend or small group. Emotional learning is a process, hang in there.

Step 2: Brainstorm

Brainstorm and write down as many ideas as you can that might help solve the problem, no matter how silly they seem – don’t dismiss any possible solutions.

Write down at least three solutions as part of your strategic problem-solving strategy. Without thinking about alternative solutions we often get stuck on what worked in the past or the first idea that comes to mind. There are usually many solutions to a problem, and our first idea isn’t always the best.

Step 3: Consider The Pros And Cons

Consider the pros and cons of each possible solution. You might need extra paper for this! For each possible solution list the pros and cons. This will help you see the problem from various angles and choose the best possible solution.  The best decisions are realized when you are able to see both sides of the problem and the possible options for each.

Step 4: Choose Possible Solutions

Begin by throwing out any solutions that are obviously ineffective or impractical. Next, look at your remaining solutions and determine which ones are the most likely to be successful by examining them in-depth. This can be done by examining the strengths and weaknesses of each solution.

Oftentimes, you will come up with new solutions during this stage. You might even find that a combination of multiple solutions is better than any, one idea.

Now, choose one of the possible solutions that look likely to work, based on the advantages and disadvantages.

Life Skill Tip:  If you are having a hard time thinking of the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, ask yourself these questions:

• Is this a short-term or a long-term
• How likely am I to follow through with this solution?
• How will this solution affect other people?

The goal here is to use critical thinking to learn how to make good decisions. The problem-solving worksheet pack will help you with every step of the process.

Step 5: create step-by-step plan.

There is so much to consider in this step! To ensure you follow through with your solution, it is best to think of how and when it will be implemented. Without doing so, solutions that are difficult might be avoided, or they can slip your mind when the time comes.  Also, make sure you are creating steps that are positive choices that ultimately lead to a responsible decision. The step-by-step decision-making process is also an exercise in self-control and patience for kids, as it requires them to slow down and contemplate the potential consequences of their actions before they actually take them.

Plan out step-by-step what you need to do to carry out the chosen solution. Some solutions can happen at a specific time, like 2:00 pm on Wednesday. Others require something unpredictable to happen, like when I get overwhelmed or angry.

If your solution can be scheduled, you will want to create your step-by-step plan considering these questions

• When will you implement your solution? Be specific.
• How will you remember to follow through with your solution?
• List the specific steps you will take to implement your solution.

If your solution is in response to something, you will want to create your step-by-step plan considering these ideas:

• How will you know  when to use your solution? List specific warning signs, triggers, or other specific events that will tip you off.
• List the specific steps you will take to implement  your solution.

Finally, you want to also consider these questions as you finish up your step-by-step strategic problem-solving plan.

• Do you see any other way you can get around those problems?
• Is this a realistic and achievable plan?

Life Skill Tip:  If your solution requires a lot of time or effort, try to break the process into small steps. It’s easier to follow through with several small steps, rather than one giant task.

Step 6: Carry Out Your Plan

Do it! Carry out the plan. If it is helpful and isn’t too awkward, have your list of steps with you so you remember what to do. Take a deep breath and implement your strategic problem-solving plan! You got this!

Step 7: Review Results

Finally, after implementing your solution, you will review what worked and what didn’t. Answer these questions:

• Was it helpful?
• Did you achieve what you set out to achieve? If not, how could you have done it differently?
• Did you achieve any progress, however small, towards your goal?
• What have you learned?

Step 8: Consider Your Next Steps

If you achieved your goal – consider tackling the next step of your original problem. If you didn’t fully achieve your goal – make adjustments to your chosen solution, or return to steps 3 and 4 and choose another possible solution.

Even if your problem was a one-time situation, there are often broader lessons to be learned. Take a moment to reflect on your problem and how you handled it. Specifically, answer these questions:

• In what way was your solution effective?
• In what ways was your solution  not  effective?
• If you could go back in time, what would you change about how you handled the problem?
• What advice would you give to someone else who was dealing with the same problem?

Tackle problems Like A Pro With The Complete Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Worksheet Pack

The Strategic ProblemSolving Worksheet pack includes the PDF version of this blog post and the 6-page worksheet pack to collect all your thoughts and ideas as you solve life’s big and little problems. The complete worksheet pack is helpful for all ages. Younger homeschoolers will need more help processing and brainstorming ideas and solutions, while older students and adults can work independently. However, a good conversation with a trusted friend or family member is always helpful when solving difficult situations.

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Decision Making Worksheets

Customize decision making templates.

If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

Decision Making Skills Worksheets

Developing strong decision making skills is crucial for students to become responsible citizens. Using targeted handouts in class provides an engaging way for students to practice this vital life skill. This section explores why these printables are valuable for growth and shares ideas to integrate them into diverse lessons.

What is a Decision Making Skills Worksheet?

It is an educational material that scaffolds the decision making process by:

• Clearly defining a problem
• Brainstorming solution options
• Analyzing pros and cons
• Making a well-reasoned final decision

Our free decision making worksheets provide an organized structure to practice and help students understand this critical thinking skill. Using these guided resources helps students determine the best solutions independently over time.

Benefits of Using Decision Making Activities

Integrating activities has many benefits for student growth and engagement:

• Enhances Critical Thinking: Using these handouts guides students to analyze information carefully before acting. The step-by-step process breaks down an otherwise overwhelming task.
• Applies Skill to Real Situations: The scenarios in decision making worksheets for teenagers can reflect realistic dilemmas related to school, family, friends, etc. Analyzing relatable situations makes the process relevant.
• Engages Diverse Learners: These printable decision making worksheets for teens appeal to visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic learners as they incorporate analytical thinking, discussion, writing, and visual components.
• Adaptable Across Subjects and Grades: The complexity differs, but decision making worksheets for kids can be utilized as early as elementary school through high school. You can adjust scenarios to complement current lesson themes in diverse subjects.

Activity Ideas for Integrating A Free Decision Making Worksheet

Decision making skills worksheets for elementary students can be seamlessly incorporated into lessons across various academic subjects through practical activities like:

• English/Language Arts: Analyze the motivations, values, and choices of characters in novels using a printable template. Discuss alternates. After reading persuasive speeches, have students outline pros/cons and make decisions on key issues utilizing a digital handout.
• Science: Evaluate options related to environmental scenarios by completing decision making skill worksheets for youth. When learning the scientific method, map out points for developing hypotheses, testing variables, final determinations, etc.
• Social Studies: Study historical choices world leaders made at critical turning points using an editable decision making activity chart. Debate correct choices famous inventors/innovators made when developing new technologies guided by printable worksheets.
• Health/Life Skills Classes: Practice responding to peer pressure by completing handouts analyzing healthy choices in risky social situations. Discuss the pros and cons of significant milestone options — college, career paths, relationships — via discussion prompts and templates.

Best Practices for Classroom Integration

Effective ways to incorporate these activities into lessons include:

• Introduce vocabulary using a decision making template so kids learn key terms as a foundation.
• Begin with familiar situations before more complex societal issues.
• Have small groups discuss options before individual completion to encourage dialogue.
• Incorporate role-playing scenarios.
• Project interactive digital versions for the whole classroom.
• Send home packets over breaks for added practice.

Help students reinforce skills with these additional printables on thinking critically and social cues:

• Brainstorming Worksheets
• Life Skills Worksheets
• Social Stories Templates
• Social Cues Worksheets

How to Make Decision Making Worksheets

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on “Copy Template”

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions about Decision Making Worksheets

What grade levels can effectively utilize these teaching materials.

With adaptable scenarios and analysis, versatile decision making printables are utilized from elementary school through high school learning objectives across core subjects. Educators can also use our user-friendly decision-making worksheet maker to create customized materials that best fit their lesson plans.

Can printable or digital decision-making skills worksheets work for in-classroom and remote teaching?

Yes, with both physical worksheet packets and digital formats that allow access to interactive decision-making graphic organizers, students can practice critical thinking on these relevant skills, whether face-to-face or in remote environments.

Where can I access free decision making teaching resources or customize printables?

Storyboard That provides an array of adaptable templates, samples, and generators to create versatile materials that best suit your instructional activities. Educators can download, print, copy, and share digital resources for classroom integration or remote learning.

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SEL Toolkit

• What's in the Toolkit?
• Strategies and Tools
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills
• Decision Making

SEL Toolkit: Decision Making

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) fosters the ability to make positive choices about how we behave. On this page of the SEL Toolkit, we link to tools and resources for professionals who seek to strengthen young people's decision-making skills.

Promote Problem-Solving Thinking

There are many simple ways to infuse problem-solving thinking and reflection into program activities:

• Articulate differences and connections
• Identify emotions behind actions
• Brainstorm different approaches or solutions to a task
• Explore possible consequences
• Model and articulate decision-making process
• Reflect on past experiences
• Evaluate actions - did they meet the goal?
• Simulate or role play a task

Teaching Problem Solving

Vanderbilt University's Center for Teaching provides tips and techniques for teaching problem solving.

Teaching Problem Solving: Let students get "stuck" and "unstuck"

This Brookings article describes methods for creating a "culture of problem solvers."

Teach Critical Thinking and Decision-Making Skills

Games for Building Decision-Making Skills

Here, Common Sense Education reviews classroom-friendly games for improving students' decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Decision-making and Problem-solving: Class Activity

This activity from Climate Schools in Australia includes a useful worksheet to help a young person think through a decision.

Edutopia: The Benefits of Teaching Ethical Dilemmas

Introducing ethical dilemmas in the classroom can open up opportunities not only for debate and critical thinking, but also for personal growth, empathy for other viewpoints, and self-reflection.

Reflective Group Conversation

This worksheet can be used to guide critical thinking within a group.

SWOT Analysis

This worksheet can be used in a discussion of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Youth Development Professionals

Youth and Media: Activities

Healthy Life Skills

Career Success

Financial Literacy

Problem Solving

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Introduction & Theoretical Background

Problem Solving is a helpful intervention whenever clients present with difficulties, dilemmas, and conundrums, or when they experience repetitive thought such as rumination or worry. Effective problem solving is an essential life skill and this Problem Solving worksheet is designed to guide adults through steps which will help them to generate solutions to ‘stuck’ situations in their lives. It follows the qualities of effective problem solving outlined by Nezu, Nezu & D’Zurilla (2013), namely: clearly defining a problem; generation of alternative solutions; deliberative decision making; and the implementation of the chosen solution.

The therapist’s stance during problem solving should be one of collaborative curiosity. It is not for the therapist to pass judgment or to impose their preferred solution. Instead it is the clinician’s role to sit alongside clients and to help them examine the advantages and disadvantages of their options and, if the client is ‘stuck’ in rumination or

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Therapist Guidance

• What is the nature of the problem?
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• What is getting the way of me reaching my goals?
• “Can you think of any ways that you could make this problem not be a problem any more?”
• “What’s keeping this problem as a problem? What could you do

References And Further Reading

• Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression . New York: Guilford. Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., D’Zurilla, T. J. (2013). Problem-solving therapy: a treatment manual . New York: Springer.
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Home » Blog » General » Free Problem Solving Worksheets: Practical Tools for Success

Free Problem Solving Worksheets: Practical Tools for Success

As a Speech Language Pathologist and Social Emotional Learning expert, I understand the importance of problem-solving skills in personal growth and success. Developing the ability to effectively solve problems not only enhances our cognitive abilities but also plays a crucial role in our social and emotional well-being. In this blog post, I will introduce you to the world of free problem solving worksheets, which are practical tools that can help you develop and strengthen your problem-solving skills.

Understanding Problem Solving

Before we dive into the world of problem solving worksheets, let’s first understand what problem solving entails. Problem solving is the process of identifying, analyzing, and finding solutions to challenges or obstacles that we encounter in our daily lives. It involves critical thinking, decision-making, and creativity.

Effective problem solving consists of several key components. Firstly, it requires the ability to define the problem clearly and understand its underlying causes. Secondly, it involves generating multiple possible solutions and evaluating their potential outcomes. Lastly, it requires implementing and evaluating the chosen solution to determine its effectiveness.

Developing problem-solving skills offers numerous benefits. It enhances our ability to think critically, make informed decisions, and adapt to new situations. It also boosts our self-confidence and resilience, as we become more equipped to handle challenges and overcome obstacles.

The Role of Worksheets in Problem Solving

Worksheets are valuable tools that can facilitate the problem-solving process. They provide structure and guidance, allowing us to break down complex problems into manageable steps. Free problem solving worksheets offer several advantages:

• Structured Approach: Worksheets provide a step-by-step framework for problem solving, ensuring that we cover all necessary aspects of the problem.
• Visual Representation: Worksheets often include visual elements such as diagrams or charts, which can help us visualize the problem and potential solutions.
• Practice and Reinforcement: Worksheets offer opportunities for practice and reinforcement of problem-solving skills, allowing us to apply what we have learned in a structured manner.

By incorporating worksheets into our problem-solving practice, we can enhance our social emotional learning. Social emotional learning (SEL) encompasses the development of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Problem solving is a key component of responsible decision-making, as it involves considering the impact of our choices on ourselves and others.

Exploring Free Problem Solving Worksheets

Now that we understand the value of problem solving worksheets, let’s explore the different types of worksheets available:

• Step-by-step problem solving worksheets: These worksheets guide us through the problem-solving process, providing prompts and questions to help us analyze the problem, generate solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Decision-making worksheets: Decision-making is a crucial aspect of problem solving. These worksheets focus on helping us make informed decisions by considering the pros and cons of different options.
• Critical thinking worksheets: Critical thinking is an essential skill in problem solving. These worksheets encourage us to think deeply and critically about the problem, analyze information, and evaluate different perspectives.

There are several online resources where you can find free problem solving worksheets:

• Educational websites: Many educational websites offer free resources for problem solving and social emotional learning. Examples include EverydaySpeech, Education.com, and Teach-nology.
• Social emotional learning resources: SEL-focused websites and organizations often provide free problem solving worksheets as part of their curriculum. Look for websites like CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) and SEL for Prevention.
• Printable worksheet collections: Numerous websites offer collections of printable worksheets across various subjects, including problem solving. Websites like Super Teacher Worksheets and WorksheetWorks provide free options.

Tips for Effective Use of Problem Solving Worksheets

While using problem solving worksheets, it’s essential to keep a few tips in mind to maximize their effectiveness:

• Set clear goals and objectives: Before starting a worksheet, clearly define what you want to achieve and what specific problem you want to address.
• Provide guidance and support: If you’re using worksheets with children or students, offer guidance and support as they work through the problems. Encourage them to ask questions and provide explanations when needed.
• Encourage reflection and self-assessment: After completing a worksheet, encourage reflection on the problem-solving process. Ask questions like, “What did you learn from this exercise?” or “How could you apply these problem-solving skills in other situations?”

Incorporating Problem Solving Worksheets in Social Emotional Learning

Problem solving worksheets can be integrated into various aspects of social emotional learning:

• Integrating worksheets into SEL curriculum: Teachers and educators can incorporate problem solving worksheets into their SEL curriculum to enhance students’ problem-solving skills and promote responsible decision-making.
• Using worksheets in individual therapy sessions: Speech Language Pathologists and therapists can utilize problem solving worksheets in individual therapy sessions to help clients develop their problem-solving abilities and improve their social emotional well-being.
• Engaging students in group activities with worksheets: Group activities that involve problem solving worksheets can foster collaboration, communication, and teamwork among students, enhancing their social and emotional skills.

Problem solving skills are essential for personal growth and success. By developing these skills, we become better equipped to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and achieve our goals. Free problem solving worksheets offer practical tools that can enhance our problem-solving abilities and promote social emotional learning.

So, why not start incorporating free problem solving worksheets into your daily practice? Start your EverydaySpeech Free trial today and explore a wide range of problem solving worksheets and other social emotional learning resources. Take the first step towards unlocking your problem-solving potential and embark on a journey of personal growth and success!

Related Blog Posts:

Implementing Effective SEL Programs for Schools: Best Practices and Strategies

Understanding Teacher Burnout: Key Causes and Statistics Behind Teachers Quitting

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