Presented to:
Miss Anam Arif
Presented by:
Rimsha Fazil
Course title:
Clinical Psychology
Department:
BS-Psychology (sem-VII)
Case management
Significance of case formulation
Content Purpose of case formulation
s Aspects of case formulation
Structures and procedures of case
formulation
Case formulation is a critical process
in clinical psychology, providing a
structured way to understand a
Significa client’s psychological difficulties, their
nce of origins, and the factors maintaining
them.
case It serves as a bridge between
formulati assessment and intervention, offering
a personalized roadmap for therapy.
on Below are the key aspects of its
significance:
1. Personalized Understanding of the
Client: Comprehensive Insight: Case
formulation integrates information from
various sources (e.g., client interviews,
psychometric assessments, observations) to
create a holistic understanding of the client's
issues.
2. Guiding treatment planning: By
identifying the underlying mechanisms of
distress (e.g., maladaptive beliefs, unhelpful
coping strategies), clinicians can select and
prioritize evidence-based interventions.
3. Enhancing collaboration: Sharing the
formulation with clients fosters understanding
and engagement in the therapeutic process.
Clients feel heard and validated, improving
trust.
4. Flexibility and adaptability:
Unlike static diagnostic labels, case formulation
evolves as therapy progresses and new
information emerges, allowing interventions to
adapt to the client’s changing needs.
5. Integrating theoretical frameworks
Cognitive-behavioral formulation: Focuses on
maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors.
Psychodynamic formulation: Emphasizes
unconscious conflicts and early life
experiences.
Biopsychosocial model: Examines interactions
among biological, psychological, and social
factors.
6. Identifying Maintaining Factors
Formulation pinpoints the factors that
perpetuate the client’s problems, such
as avoidance behaviors, dysfunctional
beliefs, or unsupportive environments.
Addressing these is essential for long-
term change.
7. Facilitating Communication
8. Problem Prevention and Relapse
Management
9. Ethical and Culturally Sensitive
Practice
The purpose of case formulation is to provide
a structured, individualized understanding
of a client’s psychological difficulties by
Purpose integrating information about their history,
current symptoms, and contributing factors.
of case Case formulation guides the selection of
evidence-based interventions, fosters
formulat collaboration and understanding between the
ion clinician and client, and adapts dynamically as
therapy progresses. It ensures that care is
tailored, comprehensive, and contextually
sensitive, enhancing the effectiveness and
ethical integrity of psychological treatment.
Aspects
of case
formulat
ion
1. Assessment and Data-Collection
Structur Establish rapport and create a safe
environment for the client to share openly.
e and Ask open-ended questions to explore
procedu symptoms, history, and goals.
Use validated questionnaires to quantify
re of symptoms and identify patterns.
case 2. Problem Identification
formulat Develop a problem list during the initial
sessions.
ion Collaboratively agree on which issues to
address first.
3. Hypotheses Generation
Develop hypotheses using theoretical
frameworks such as CBT, psychodynamic
models, or biopsychosocial approaches.
Continuously refine hypotheses as new
information emerges.
4. Development of Case Formulation
Use a diagram, chart, or written narrative to
map relationships between factors.
Focus on making the formulation client-
centered and understandable.
5. Goal setting
Collaborate with the client to set SMART
goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
Relevant, Time-bound).
Align goals with the client’s values and
priorities.
6. Treatment Planning
Develop a step-by-step treatment plan.
Outline specific techniques (e.g., cognitive
restructuring, exposure therapy,
mindfulness).
Assign homework or between-session tasks
to promote skill development.
7. Monitoring and Revision
Conduct periodic evaluations through
follow-up assessments.
Adapt interventions based on
feedback and changing
circumstances.
8. Relapse Prevention
Collaborate with the client to create a
relapse prevention plan.
Provide psychoeducation about
maintaining progress.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Formulation: Focuses on the interaction
Common between thoughts, emotions, and
framewo behaviors. Includes cycles such as the
vicious cycle of anxiety or depression.
rks for Psychodynamic Formulation: Explores
case unconscious processes, childhood
experiences, and internal conflicts.
formulat Biopsychosocial Formulation:
ion Integrates biological, psychological, and
social factors to provide a holistic view.
Eells, T. D. (Ed.). (2022). Handbook of
Psychotherapy Case Formulation. Guilford
Publications.
Kuyken, W., Padesky, C. A., & Dudley, R.
(2009). Collaborative Case
referenc Conceptualization: Working Effectively with
es Clients in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
Guilford Press.
Sturmey, P. (2009). Case formulation in
clinical psychology: A review of the
literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(4),
317–330.
