The goal is straightforward:

To assist in managing the everyday problems that contribute to emotional distress by teaching practical, structured problem-solving skills.

In a bit more detail:

• Empowerment
  
  

PST aims to make people feel capable and in control again.

Depression often makes you feel powerless. PST counters that by building confidence in handling life’s challenges.

• Skill-building

It’s about teaching a method, not just offering temporary support.

Clients learn how to define problems clearly, generate solutions, and make decisions systematically, skills they can use long after therapy ends.

• Reducing emotional distress

Depressive symptoms are usually lessened by solving or improving the problems that cause stress (like relationship conflicts, financial issues, work difficulties).

• Breaking the negative cycle
  
  

Depression can create a loop: problems feel overwhelming → avoidance increases → problems worsen → depression worsens.

PST interrupts this loop by promoting action instead of avoidance.

• Encouraging resilience

It’s not about eliminating every life issue, which is impossible.

Instead, PST helps people cope more effectively with new challenges that arise in the future, thereby building long-term psychological resilience.