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This study assessed the effects of intensive problem-solving training on outcomes related to counseling. Fifty undergraduates who expressed a need for and willingness to participate in a problem-solving workship were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a treatment group, a pretest-posttest control group, and a posttest-only control group. Treatment consisted of didactic presentations, group discussions, and directed practice in five iVj-hour sessions that were designed for systematic training in five stages of problem solving. Dependent variables were generation of alternatives, decision-making skill, and subjects' perceptions of their problem-solving skills. Results indicated that training did influence the quality of response, but training did not increase the number of subjects' alternatives. Subjects participating in the workshop also described themselves as using fewer impulsive behaviors during problem solving than nonparticipant controls. No differences were found among groups on their ability to make effective choices from among a set of alternatives. Implications for future research are discussed.Problem solving is of special concern to professionals who are interested in helping other people deal with issues that are particularly troublesome (Krumboltz, 1965). There are two possible levels of intervention for counselors in assisting individuals confronted by problems: (a) identifying solutions for the specific problem situation and (b) providing the client with a set of generalizable problem-solving skills that will allow the client to solve a wide range of problems. The effects of procedures in solving discrete problem situations have been well documented in research in psychology (cf. Davis, 1966) and have received some support in counseling (Bergin & Garfield, 1971;Krumboltz & Thoresen, 1976). However, the generalizability of these solutions and the improved ability of clients to deal withThe order of author's names was determined randomly. Special thanks are due Deb Lansworth, Sibyl Olsen, Jeff Greene, and Joe Walton for serving as workshop facilitators.

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