formulation

Question 1

what is a case formulation?

Answer 1

the development of a psychological explanation of a clients problems and a plan for therapy.

Question 2

what does it mean to be looking at the ‘story of the person’ instead of diagnosis?

Answer 2

looking at all of the factors that influence the clients problems - including past history. shows that problems manifest themselves differently from person to person

Question 3

what are the 4 P’s?

Answer 3

predisposing
precipitating
perpetuating
protective

Question 4

predisposing factors show..

Answer 4

past events that have influenced the problem

Question 5

precipitating factors show..

Answer 5

stressors/causes of the problem at present

Question 6

perpetuating factors show..

Answer 6

the factors that maintain the problem

Question 7

protective factors show..

Answer 7

the strengths and assets - what helps the problem eg a support system

Question 8

what does a typical CBT model try to do?

Answer 8

reduce the thoughts to think of other explanations of a situation - this will change all other effects (affect, physical symptoms, behaviour)

Question 9

what advantages are there of case formulation?

Answer 9

• allows for a flexible understanding of clients individual problems
• collaborative
• includes information about clients history
• allows for the development of treatment strategies specific to the individual needs

Question 10

what other areas of psychology practice case formulation?

Answer 10

health, education, forensic, sport and counselling (health professions council, 2009)

Question 11

who claims that there is no universally agreed definition of formulation?

Answer 11

BPS

Question 12

harper and spellman (2006) made what statement about formulation?

Answer 12

formulation allows for a shared narrative, a story that is ‘constructed rather than discovered’.

Question 13

is there any scope for problem-specific formulations?

Answer 13

they would not fulfil all of the principles of a psychological formulation because it would only allow a limited range of causal and process factors

Question 14

what factors are often neglected in formulation?

Answer 14

• transference
• the potentially traumatising effects of medical and psychiatric interventions
• the influence of stigma
• social factors eg class, poverty, unemployment
• cultural and ethnic factors

Question 15

what is the general consensus from the article ‘is diagnosis enough to guide interventions?’

Answer 15

the use of diagnosis alone is limited. formulations allow for a deeper understanding of the client, a more personal treatment plan and therefore potentially a better outcome

Question 16

what advantages are there of formulation?

Answer 16

• allows for a deeper understanding of the client
• a more personal treatment
• could mean a better outcome

Question 17

what did Rogers (1940) propose that the 3 core conditions were for therapeutic change?

Answer 17

1. congruence - being genuine and real, showing that you are trustworthy
2. unconditional positive regard and acceptance - genuinely caring for the clients and being non-judgemental
3. accurate empathic understanding - understanding the clients experience and conveying that you ‘get it’. being compassionate.