A method for forming a polyarylene sulfide is described. The method can include a multi-step cooling and precipitation process in which the cooling rate of the solution that carries the polymer is decreased during a portion of the overall cooling. This slower cooling period can encompass at least a portion of the period during which the polymer precipitates from the solution. The precipitation process can form polyarylene sulfide particles with good particle integrity and a narrow particle size distribution, which can reduce fines and improve downstream processing and final product characteristics.