About the Book
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.
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
About the Author :
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.
Review :
"I have been thinking, writing, and doing research about therapist effects for more than a decade, and I have been training clinicians for an even longer period. Over the years, I have become convinced that what makes some therapists better than others is in part the ability to build a comprehensive but also a clear understanding of their clients' difficulties; an understanding that guides their selection and implementation of cohesive, flexible, and responsive interventions to the needs of their clients. This book has not only solidified my conviction, it has also provided me with invaluable insights and actionable tools to further develop and teach case formulation skills. And because it is based on an integrative and evidence-based approach, I strongly believe that most—if not all—trainees, experienced therapists, and supervisors will read it and feel the same way." - Louis G. Castonguay, PhD, Liberal Arts Professor of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States; Former President of the Society for Psychotherapy Research
"In Psychotherapy Case Formulation, Second Edition, Tracy D. Eells offers a master class in case formulation by integrating cognitive science to strengthen clinical reasoning. He carefully examines different models to develop an integrative framework that is flexible, empirically supported, and applicable across theoretical orientations. This book provides ample practical tools—including case examples and checklists—that make abstract concepts concrete, and translates them into actionable plans. Its discussion of diagnosis, assessment, and treatment planning is nuanced, critical, and pragmatic, while emphasizing culturally informed care. Unique in its scope and utility, this book benefits therapists at all levels of experience by enhancing clinical reasoning and supporting the personalization of treatment."- Shigeru Iwakabe, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology, Ritsumeikan University, Ibarakishi, Osaka, Japan
"The current movement toward psychotherapy integrations makes this excellent second edition especially valuable to graduate level learners. The research and pragmatic approach is presented with admirable brevity, clarity, and expert reasoning. I recommend it highly." - Mardi Horowitz, MD, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill School of Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States; author of Clinician Technique in Personalized Psychotherapy
"Great mental health care starts with evaluation and formulation, and Tracy D. Eells's new edition builds on decades of clinical experience and his commitment to ensuring that every clinical evaluation and formulation sets the stage for excellent care. There's something valuable in this book for a practitioner at any stage of their career, and in every mental health clinical discipline. And, it's a terrific teaching tool for clinical educators." - Allan Tasman, MD, Emeritus Schwab Endowed Chair and Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
