The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 51 No. 1 - Extended Consultation

Problem Approach

Cheong Pak Yean

The Singapore Family Physician Vol 51 No 1 - Extended Consultation
21 - 26
10 January 2025
0377-5305
In the Problem Approach, the basic idea is to determine whether the patient’s behavior is a maladaptive response to antecedent stimuli, or the result of cognitive bias. We use counter-conditioning and contingency management to deal with maladaptive response; we use cognitive therapy to trace cognitive distortions that give rise to Negative Automatic Thoughts (NATs) and take steps to counter these. The problem approach is integrated as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The S.M.A.R.T. solution to problems is deployed when there is no underlying maladaptive behavior or cognitive bias.