The PRS scale: a tool for measuring progress in therapy

What is the Problem Resolution Scale (PRS)?

This article follows the research article Problem resolution scale : A single-item instrument for easily assessing clinical improvement ( Grégoire Vitry PhD , Rytis Pakrosnis PhD , Jeffrey B. Jackson PhD , Emmanuelle Gallin , Michael F. Hoyt PhD ) published in Journal Of Family Therapy in February 2024.

The Problem Resolution Scale ) is a single-item assessment instrument designed to measure clients' perceived clinical improvement over the course of their therapeutic treatment. The scale is presented in the form of a simple question: "On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 corresponds to the start of therapy and 10 to the moment when you can say 'My problem is solved,' where do you place- you today?”

A simple and easily adaptable format

The PRS scale is presented as a single question, accompanied by a numerical scale. The question asks the customer to indicate where they currently stand on a scale of 0 to 10, in terms of resolving their problem. For example: "On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is when therapy begins and 10 is when you can say, 'My problem is solved,' where are you today?"

A digital scale

The customer's response is recorded using a numerical scale from 0 to 10. Each number represents a level of resolution of the problem, ranging from no resolution (0) to complete resolution (10). The client chooses the number that best corresponds to their perception of their current progress.

Interpretation of numbers

Once the client selects a number on the digital scale, this response is recorded by the therapist. It is then interpreted within the broader context of the client's treatment and therapeutic goals. For example, a high score may indicate significant improvement in the problem, while a lower score may suggest that additional adjustments are needed in treatment.

Administration protocol

The PRS scale can be administered at each session, allowing changes in client perception to be tracked over time. Successive responses can be compared to assess the progression of symptoms and difficulties, as well as the effectiveness of treatment. The therapist and client then discuss the response given by the client. This discussion may include reflections on changes that have occurred since therapy began, as well as challenges and successes encountered along the way. This step allows for a deeper understanding of the client's progress and the identification of possible adjustments to the treatment.

Interest in the PRS scale

•       Simplicity : The PRS scale is easy to understand and administer, making it a practical tool for therapists and clients.
•     Sensitivity to change : By measuring the client's subjective perception of the resolution of their problem, the PRS scale helps detect subtle changes that may not be captured by other, more objective measures.
•       Progress Monitoring : By providing regular assessment of problem resolution, the PRS scale allows therapists to track clients' progress over time and adjust treatment accordingly.

Patient Benefits

The PRS scale offers several specific benefits for therapy patients, helping to improve their experience and engagement in the treatment process. Here are some of these benefits:

Simplicity and clarity

The PRS scale is easy for patients to understand because it is based on one simple question. This simplicity reduces the stress and anxiety associated with the assessment, allowing patients to focus on their own experience and progress.

Active involvement

By allowing patients to actively participate in evaluating their progress, the PRS scale reinforces their sense of control and involvement in their own treatment. This can promote a feeling of autonomy and empowerment in patients, thus encouraging them to become more involved in the therapeutic process.

Facilitating communication

Using the PRS scale facilitates communication between patient and therapist by providing a concrete starting point for discussing progress and challenges encountered during treatment. This open and transparent communication strengthens the therapeutic relationship and promotes a climate of trust and collaboration.

Monitoring perceptible progress

By allowing patients to quantify their own perception of resolution of their problem , the PRS scale provides them with a tangible way to track their progress over time. This can be especially rewarding for patients who are looking for tangible signs of improvement in their well-being and functioning.

Adaptability and sensitivity to individual needs

The PRS scale can be adapted to reflect each patient's specific goals and concerns. This allows patients to focus on the aspects of their lives that are most important to them, promoting a more personalized and meaningful assessment of their progress.

In summary

The scale

PRS provides therapy patients with a simple, engaging and personalized method to assess their progress and development over time. By promoting clarity, active involvement, open communication and sensitivity to individual needs, the PRS scale helps strengthen patients' therapeutic experience and promote positive outcomes in their journey to wellness and healing .

Benefits for the therapist

The Problem Solving Scale (PRS) also offers several significant benefits for therapists, helping them to better understand and support their patients' progress throughout the therapeutic process. Here are some of these benefits:

Fast and efficient assessment

The PRS scale is simple to administer and requires only one question. This allows therapists to quickly obtain an assessment of the patient's perceived progress, without requiring significant additional time or resources.

Tracking Objective Progress

 By providing an objective measure of clinical progress, the PRS scale allows therapists to systematically track changes in their patients over time. This can help therapists evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions and adjust treatment accordingly.

Easy communication

 Using the PRS scale facilitates communication between therapist and patient by providing a clear framework for discussing progress and challenges encountered during treatment. This can help strengthen the therapeutic relationship and foster a climate of trust and collaboration.

Patient engagement

By allowing patients to actively participate in the evaluation of their progress, the PRS scale promotes their involvement in the therapeutic process. This can strengthen their motivation to continue treatment and fully engage in their own recovery.

Personalization of treatment

The PRS scale can be adapted to reflect each patient's specific treatment goals. This allows therapists to monitor the most relevant areas of progress for each patient and adjust treatment based on their individual needs.

Long-term assessment

By using the PRS scale repeatedly throughout treatment, therapists can track their patients' progress over an extended period of time. This allows long-term assessment of therapeutic outcomes and identification of trends and patterns of progression.

In summary

The PRS scale provides therapists with a valuable tool to assess and monitor their patients' progress in a quick, efficient and personalized manner. By facilitating objective assessment, open communication, and patient engagement, the PRS scale helps strengthen therapists' clinical practice and promote positive outcomes in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders.

Benefits for research

The PRS scale has several advantages for psychotherapy and mental health research, providing researchers with a practical and effective tool for assessing clinical outcomes and exploring change processes. Here are some of these benefits:

Simplicity and time saving

The PRS scale is simple to administer and requires only one question. This allows researchers to quickly obtain data on participants' perceived progress, reducing the time and resources needed to collect data.

Use in longitudinal studies

By allowing repeated assessment of progress over time, the PRS is particularly suitable for longitudinal studies aimed at tracking changes in participants' symptoms and difficulties over time.

Adaptability to different contexts and populations

The PRS scale can be used in a variety of clinical settings and with different patient populations, making it a versatile tool for mental health research.

Objective and standardized measurement

By providing a standardized measure of clinical progress, the PRS scale allows researchers to quantify changes in participants' symptoms and difficulties in an objective and reproducible manner.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatments

The PRS scale can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of psychotherapy treatments by measuring changes in participants' symptoms and difficulties before and after therapeutic intervention.

Identification of drivers of change

By examining PRS scale scores in association with other clinical and demographic variables, researchers can identify factors of change associated with improvement in symptoms and difficulties.

International comparisons

 The PRS scale can be used in multicenter and international studies to compare clinical outcomes and change processes in different populations and cultural contexts.

In summary

The PRS scale provides researchers with a valuable tool for assessing clinical outcomes and exploring change processes in psychotherapy and mental health. Its simplicity, standardization and ability to be adapted to different contexts and populations make it a powerful tool for research studies aimed at improving our understanding and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.

Training in brief systemic and strategic therapy 

LACT offers several live certified web training courses with 50 international trainers:

• Generalist systemic training
• DU relationship clinic with the University of Paris 8
• Clinical Master of Giorgio Nardone LACT/CTS

LACT, supporting you in your retraining journey

LACT training courses are particularly suited to retraining situations with 100% distance learning and follow-up towards professional installation. 

See testimonials from former students.