Case Formulation in Psychotherapy

How does a therapist know what to do next during a session?

One key method for determining what to do in therapy is case formulation, a systematic process for developing hypotheses about and plans to address the causes and precipitants of a client's presenting problems. Dr. Tracy Eells presents an evidence-based, integrative method of psychotherapy case formulation that can be adapted to single-theory approaches to therapy, any specific treatment manual, or any component of a theory or manual.

This pragmatic case formulation model works for simple and straightforward cases as well as those involving many problems in many spheres of life. In this video, Dr. Eells explains his case formulation model, works with a client in a therapy demonstration, then uses examples from the demonstration to illustrate how to apply his case formulation model.