Purpose 🎯

Explore interpersonal situations while recognizing that social interactions involve multiple valid perspectives.

Let’s Talk About It 🗣️

Choose a real situation and map:

• What happened?
• What did I intend?
• What might the other person have intended?
• What information do we know?
• What information are we assuming?
• What are three possible responses?
• Which response best fits my values and goals?

Ask:

• What would a successful outcome look like for you, not simply what would look most “socially typical”?
• What information might be missing?
• Which response protects your needs and respects the situation?

If the Conversation Gets Stuck 💡

• What are the facts we know for sure?
• What are possible explanations besides the first one?
• What response would feel both respectful and authentic?

Telehealth / Whiteboard Version ⚖️

Create a social problem-solving map with sections for facts, assumptions, intentions, possible responses, values, and preferred next step.

Why This Works 🌱

This activity builds flexible thinking and social problem-solving without implying there is only one correct or neurotypical answer.

Clinical Pearl 🧠

Support perspective-taking without invalidating the client’s interpretation or needs. The goal is flexible understanding and values-based choice.

Documentation Language 📝

Therapist utilized a social problem-solving intervention to assist client in identifying facts, assumptions, possible perspectives, response options, and values-consistent choices.

Clinical Focus: Social Problem-Solving, Perspective-Taking, Values-Based Decision Making