Constructing Stories, Telling Tales: A Guide to Formulation in Applied Psychology

Formulation remains one of the most important activities that those using psychological approaches undertake as part of their work. Arguably, however, formulation is an activity that remains poorly understood. In a current climate demanding quick fix solutions there is a tendency, which the authors refuse, towards over-simplification. Instead this book sets out to explore the challenging complexity of psychological formulation.By drawing on a wide range of sources from psychology and the arts the authors find ways to honour the stories clients tell yet offer key psychological insights to facilitate change. They provide a clear guide to enable the reader to think about the purpose of their work with clients, the perspectives which inform it and the process used to ensure effective outcomes.The chapters, supported by exercises on key issues, examine key debates on the role of formulation in professional practice, a framework for developing a systematic approach to formulation and a detailed account of the purpose, perspective and process of formulation. Guest contributions are included from various fields of practice including: clinical, coaching, educational, forensic, occupational, and from the arts.The book will enable all practitioners (whatever the stage of their career) who need to work with client stories to find new ways to enhance their practice.

About the Author :
Sarah Corrie is a chartered psychologist and consultant clinical psychologist. She has extensive experience in both public and private sector services, and runs her own practice as well as working as a freelance writer, trainer, and lecturer. She is Programme Director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy offered by Royal Holloway University of London and Central and North West London Foundation Trust. David A. Lane is a chartered psychologist and Director of the Professional Development Foundation. He contributes to leading edge research in coaching as well as supervising leading coaches undertaking doctoral research. He was Chair of the British Psychological Society Register of Psychologists Specialising in Psychotherapy and convenor of the Psychotherapy Group of the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations.

Review :
A number of guest contributors - including actors Simon Callow, Prunella Scales and Timothy West - have contributed valuable input into this volume and demonstrated great interest in the project and the ideas behind it. For some, it was their first experience of working with psychologists, and they showed particular willingness to engage with the main authors on this joint venture.PART ONE: Formulation: An Introduction to Key Debates and a Framework for Developing a Systematic ApproachPART TWO: Working with Purpose, Perspective and Process: Elaborating the Framework to Enhance your ApproachPART THREE: The Many Facets of Formulation: An Interdisciplinary PerspectivePART FOUR: Implications for the FutureLIST OF EXERCISESExercise 1. Questions to start your journeyExercise 2. Questions to help you navigate the debates on formulationExercise 3. Applying the purpose, perspective, and process model to your own practiceExercise 4. Understanding your professional purpose in the light of local, national, and global levels of influenceExercise 5. Understanding the perspective that informs your approachExercise 6. Developing a process through use of story grammarExercise 7. Creating stories for complex timesExercise 8. A reflective tool for refining your formulation skills