Psychotherapy Case Formulation

by Eells, Tracy D.

• ISBN13: 9781433844690
• ISBN10: 1433844699
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2026-01-27
• Publisher: American Psychological Association

Summary

The psychotherapy case formulation model is integrative, and takes an evidence-based approach to treatment by mental health practitioners.

Formulating cases is an essential component of psychotherapy training and practice, yet beginning therapists often struggle to organize their ideas about the client and apply theory to the case. The model presented in this volume is designed to adapt to any theory of therapy, any treatment manual, and any component of a theory. The author emphasizes case formulation inferences that are based on theories with supporting evidence, expert knowledge about formulation, and steps to enhance sound reasoning in case formulation.

This book incorporates a focus on culturally responsive therapy by presenting a cultural perspective, including consideration of race and ethnicity, sex and gender, socioeconomic status, and religion and spiritual orientation, on case formulation and providing guidance on incorporating culture into a case conceptualization. It draws heavily upon cognitive science research to support evidence-based practice in case formulation, and includes a case example and checklist to illustrate the principles and steps of formulation. Topics investigated include the slippery definitions of mental disorders, approaches to assessing behavior and selecting a treatment approach, and treatment planning. The book also explores the role psychiatric diagnosis plays in psychotherapy, its limitations, its societal impacts, and what it contributes uniquely to case formulation.

Author Biography

Tracy D. Eells, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Louisville. He has taught and conducted research on psychotherapy case formulation for more than 30 years, supervised clinical psychology graduate students and psychiatry residents, and more recently has researched the role of computer-assisted cognitive–behavioral therapy for treatment of depression. He is a fellow of Division 29 (Psychotherapy) of the American Psychological Association. In addition to authoring numerous journal articles and book chapters, he also serves as the editor of the Handbook of Psychotherapy Case Formulation, currently in its third edition.

Table of Contents

Series Preface.
How to Use This Book With APA Psychotherapy Videos.
Introduction.
Part I.             Understanding Psychotherapy Case Formulation in Context
Chapter 1.       Defining Formulation: Benefits, Goals, History, and Influences 
Chapter 2.       Sound Decision Making in Case Formulation 
Chapter 3.       Developing a Culturally Responsive Formulation 
Chapter 4.       Formulation in the Context of Psychotherapy Integration 
Part II.           An Integrative Evidence-Based Case Formulation Model 
Chapter 5.       Step 1: Create a Problem List 
Chapter 6.       Step 2: Diagnose 
Chapter 7.       Step 3: Develop an Explanatory Hypothesis 
Chapter 8.       Step 4: Plan Treatment 
Chapter 9.       Evaluating Case Formulation Quality
Coda.
References.
About the Author.
About the Series Editor.