ERIC Number: EJ808532
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Aug
Pages: 4
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1042-9670
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Available Date: N/A
Case Formulation in Psychotherapy: Revitalizing Its Usefulness as a Clinical Tool
Sim, Kang; Gwee, Kok Peng; Bateman, Anthony
Academic Psychiatry, v29 n3 p289-292 Aug 2005
Objective: Case formulation has been recognized to be a useful conceptual and clinical tool in psychotherapy as diagnosis itself does not focus on the underlying causes of a patient's problems. Case formulation can fill the gap between diagnosis and treatment, with the potential to provide insights into the integrative, explanatory, prescriptive, predictive, and therapist aspects of a case. Despite the acknowledgment that case formulation is a basic, necessary, and key clinical skill, it is still largely undertaught and underlearned. Some of the issues faced in the development of a case formulation include that of immediacy versus comprehensiveness, complexity versus simplicity, observation versus organization, and the need for cultural sensitivity toward each individual patient. Methods: The authors propose five aspects of case formulation beneficial to therapists and residents in training. Conclusions: The authors argue that case formulation remains an important and indispensable integrative tool for therapists and residents in training who are involved in psychotherapeutic interventions.
Descriptors: Graduate Students, Clinical Diagnosis, Psychotherapy, Psychiatry, Graduate Medical Education, Medical Students, Caseworker Approach, Intervention, Psychiatric Services, Skill Development
American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. 1000 Wilson Boulevard Suite 1825, Arlington, VA 22209-3901. Tel: 800-368-5777; Tel: 703-907-7856; Fax: 703-907-1092; e-mail: appi@psych.org; Web site: http://ap.psychiatryonline.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A