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The Problem Management Plus (PM+) Intervention

This brief psychological intervention for adults applies an approach that we call Problem Management Plus (PM+). In addition to 2 assessment sessions, intervention sessions take place once a week for five weeks. All sessions are individual.1 The intervention also allows for involving family or friends if this is what the client wants. The approach involves problem management (PM) (also known as problem-solving counselling or problem-solving therapy) plus (+) selected behavioural strategies. Hence the term PM+. In combining these strategies, this programme aims to address both psychological problems (e.g. stress, fear, feelings of helplessness) and, where possible, practical problems (e.g. livelihood problems, conflict in the family and so on).

PM+ aims to reduce problems that clients identify as being of concern to them. Given the briefness of this intervention, it will not deal with the full range of difficulties that someone may experience following adversity.2 As a result, it may be best used in addition to other appropriate supports. The IASC (2007) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings describe other relevant supports and services applicable to emergencies.

PM+ is useful for a range of emotional problems. It does not involve diagnosing mental disorders, even though it is likely to help people with mood and anxiety disorders.

Throughout the manual, we use the term “problem management” rather than “problem-solving counselling”. This is because clients are likely to face many problems that may be difficult to solve. For example, they may have little or no control over problems, such as war, communal violence or chronic poverty. By using the term “management”, we hope that helpers and clients understand that when problems are challenging to solve there may still be ways to provide relief from their impact.

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