Kahlon, Sandeep (2011) Formulation in psychology : a review of child formulation use and an exploration of formulation experiences of clients with depression. DClinPsych thesis, University of Warwick.

Abstract

Formulation has been established as a core competency in Clinical Psychology training. There is a small but growing evidence base demonstrating the benefits of its use from the perspective of clinicians. However, there are few empirical studies investigating formulation use with children and adolescents. In addition, there is little known about the client's experience of cognitive-behavioural theraphy (CBT) formulation. This thesis explores formulation in Psychological Therapy. The first paper reviews the use of formulation within the child and adolescent literature. The key components within a formulation, key factors of formulation which should be explored with children and the clinical utility of formulation are described and discussed based on the extant literature. The research highlights the need to consider developmental milestones, collaboration with families and to consider the child's wider system when formulating. Formulation appeared to be a trans-theoretical concept, occuring throughout the assessment-intervention continuum. However, more empirical research is needed to understand these findings further. The second chapter is an interpretative phenomenological analysis exploring CBT formulation with clients who have depression. Themes were identified highlighting how formulations were developed, that formulations were difficult to receive, although, after some time participants reported many positive feelings and reactions towards their formulation. It seemed that sharing initial difficult feelings with their clinician was difficult. Although several benefits of formulation were established such as, making a new sense of oneself, better control and perspective over feelings and thoughts. Research limitations and suggestions for future research are made. The final paper provides a reflective account on the challenges of working from a scientist and clinician perspective during the research process. The challenge of maintaining a balance between the two perspectives is discussed within the context of generating a research idea, recruitment, interviewing and writing up the empirical paper.

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