Case Formulation

Question 1

What is Case Formulation?

Answer 1

• The task of describing the patient in their life context
• Developing a set of hypotheses so that a psychologist can make decisions about treatment options

Question 2

What are the Six Benefits of Case Formulation

Answer 2

• Provides a way of understanding the connections between a patient’s various problems
• Provides guidance on the type of treatment to consider
• Predicts the patient’s future functioning if treatment is not sought, and how this functioning will be different if treatment is successful
• Provides options to consider if difficulties are encountered in implementing and following through on treatment
• Indicates options, outside of psychological services, for the patient to consider
• Provides alternative treatment options to consider if the initial treatment is unsuccessful.

Question 3

What are some Threats to Validity Associated with Case Formulation?

Answer 3

• Patient Factors; Retrospective recall, acting-good/bad, misremembering
• Clinician Factors; Errors, Biases, Heuristics