Fl - Critical Elements of the Formulation
(Item # 9 - Spirituality)
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9.
Brief statement of identifying information (age, marital status, race, ethnicity,
major life roles, etc.).
One or two sentence statement of the problem.
Categorize symptoms (e.g. "depressive," "anxiety"). The specifics of
symptoms, frequency, intensity, duration, etc. will appear under "Presenting
problem." The formulation only needs to guide the reader to the type of
problem involved.
Relevant history.
Is this a new problem or recurrence?
Has the person been treated before? If so, what was helpful? (Againbrie£1general?
Identification of etiological elements.
What is the (likely or reasonable) cause of the symptoms? This is where theory
comes in. Offer a conceptual understanding. Any theory is acceptable if it
makes sense. Symptoms can be explained in CBT terms (cognitions, core
beliefs, schema), IPT terms (interpersonal problem areas), psychodynamic
terms (conflicting drives, object relations, defense mechanisms, etc.),
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (target behaviors, chain analysis/task analysis) or
in terms of any established theoretical view. If you are working with an
obscure orientation, avoid using jargon that other clinicians may be unfamiliar
with.
Identification of primary and other possible diagnoses (if indicated).
What strengths and supports will promote change?
What are the individual and family factors that will be the positive focus of
change in treatment?
Identificatio11 of the elen1ents that perpetuate tl1e problem and irillibit change.
Are there clear elements of the case that make the symptoms more
difficult to address? An enabling family member, lack of resources,
secondary gain (financial, etc.)? What might get in the way of positive
change?
Description of relevant medical, cognitive, psychosocial and cultural factors.
Does the person have a chronic illness, disability, cognitive deficit? If so,
is it likely to get worse, get better? How should this be considered in
planning treatment?
Are there any significant cultural issues for the client &/or family? For
example, beliefs about seeking help, gender issues, mental illness, etc.
Will these need special attention?
Describe the role of spiritual/religious beliefs and practices for the person.
Does the client have any spiritual or religious resources in his/her life that
could be used to help overcome problems? .
... ..
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What are the deficits of the client's (or family/community) spiritual and
religious beliefs on medical, mental health care and recovery?
Does the client believe that-religious-or spiritual influences have hurt or
contributed to some of their problems?
Are there any spiritual/religious beliefs or practices that might be barriers in
overcoming problems? Belief that prayer alone will heal.
If the person doesn't identify as having a spiritual identity or doesn't want
to discuss, note sources of love, comfort and support.
10.
11.
How should spirituality be considered in the context of diagnosis and
treatment?
If the client is substance involved, do they see spirituality as a resource or a
barrier to recovery?
Identification of which problem(s) will be the focus of change in therapy.
Is the primary emphasis for positive change going to be on patient
behavior? If so, what behavior? (Be general here - save the specifics for
the treatment plan.
Are significant environmental changes necessary? For example, is the
person's living situation conducive to positive change or can it be
improved?
Prognostic statement which includes the influence of the patient's insight and
understanding.
What are realistic expectations for the patient? Consider the patient's
appropriateness for the chosen therapy, motivation, severity. Is this an
episode of depression that will likely pass, or is it a chronic personality
disorder indicating a focus on coping and management more than on cure
Formulation Examples
(2 examples for spirituality as part of formulation)
Example 1:
This is a 56 year old, divorced, Caucasian male, a recently retired engineer and a father of two
adult children. He reported no psychiatric history. The patient complains of depressive
symptoms, which began one month ago, shortly after he retired from an executive-level
position. His symptoms have affected his relationships with his partner and his adult children, as
he has become withdrawn and less active. He appears to have core beliefs about what makes a
"good" person, and these include hard work and productivity. He has also developed core
beliefs about himself as a leader. He sees himself as "hopeless" if he is without a clear position
of authority and responsibility. Retirement has removed him from the roles that satisfied these
needs and resulted in an adjustment disorder. He has frequent contact with friends who are still
working and this emphasizes his change in status. A course of CBT is indicated to help him
more clearly identify the beliefs (primarily about himself and his
future), that are not serving him well in retirement, modify them where possible, and encourage
changes he can make to satisfy his needs for productivity and leadership within the context of
retirement. Given his intelligence, motivation for therapy, and lack of psychiatric history, his
prognosis is good.
Example 2:
JT is a 10 year-old African American male who resides with his mother and his 5 year-old
half sibling in Newark, NJ and presents with an essentially life long history of hyperactive,
inattentive, distractible, and impulsive behavior and a more recent several year history of
increasingly severe noncompliant, oppositional, intolerant and episodically aggressive
behavior. JT has been in special educational programming for two years targeting his
learning problems. JT's parents separated after his birth and he has had minimal contact with
his father. His father has a history of antisocial behavior and there is a history of hyperactivity
and learning problems on the maternal side of his family. JT's problems are consistent in part
with a neurobiologically based Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and in part are a
response to his difficult early childhood family life experience and to his learning frustrations
in school. Associated diagnoses include an Oppositional Defiant Disorder and a Learning
Disorder, NOS. There is no clinical evidence to support an Affective Disorder at this time.
JT will benefit from continuing special educational programming targeting his academic and
behavioral problems. JT and his family will benefit from the initiation of treatment in
outpatient individual and family therapy with a behavioral modification and cognitive
behavioral focus including behavioral parent training, and also anger management training.
Treatment with psychostimulant medication targeting his hyperactive, impulsive and
aggressive behaviors is also indicated. JT and his mother understand the goals of treatment
and are presently motivated for treatment. The prognosis is fair to good contingent upon
active involvement in treatment and continued special education.