The Case Formulation Approach to Psychotherapy Research Revisited

Authors

  • Tracy D. Eells

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14713/pcsp.v9i4.1834

Keywords:

case formulation, randomized clinical trials (RCTs), psychotherapy research, treatment utility, clinical decision-making, case studies, clinical case studies

Abstract

This article revisits the case formulation approach to psychotherapy outcome research, first proposed by Persons (1991).  Persons asserted that randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of psychotherapy do not test the theoretical underpinnings of psychotherapy models since these trials standardize rather than individualize patient problems, ignore the link between individualized assessment and treatment as described in these models, and employ standardized rather than individualized treatment.  This article assesses the current status of these claims, concluding that they remain valid today.  A reformulated case formulation approach is described and research strategies proposed.  Investigating the reformulated case formulation approach will require increased resources for case formulation training, the addition of treatment arms in effectiveness trials that include case-formulation-based interventions, and expanded RCTs that include systematic case studies.

Author Biography

Tracy D. Eells

Tan Fishman, Ph.D. Editor-in-Chief, Pragmatic Case Studies in Psychotherapy Professor of Clinical and Organizational Psychology Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology Rutgers University Mailing address: 57 Jaffray Court Irvington, NY 10533 914-693-8549 fax: 603-917-2567 email: dfish96198@aol.com

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Published

2013-12-12

Issue

Section

Focusing on One Dimension of Case Study Method: Individualized Case Formulation