Persons. J. B. Cognitive therapy in practice: A case formulation approach. H1 & H3.
Psychological problems occur at two levels
The case formulation model conceptualizes psychological problems as occurring at two levels: 1) overt difficulties, ‘real life’ problems, like depressed moods or panic attacks 2) underlying psychological mechanisms,the psychological deficits that underlie and cause the overt difficulties. They can often be expressed in terms of one (or a few) irrational beliefs about the self.
Overt difficulties
At a ‘macro’ level, overt difficulties include such things as depression, relationship difficulties, obesity and fears. These are problems as they might be described in the clients own terms.
At a ‘micro’ level, problems can be described in terms of three components: 1) cognitions 2) behaviours 3) moods. All three components of problems usually reflect the irrational, maladaptive nature of the underlying mechanism.
Cognitions
A cognitive component can be found for nearly every problem clients report. Negative mood states usually involve negative automatic thoughts. Automatic thoughts are related to problematic behaviours.
Cognitions can involve thoughts, images, (day)dreams and memories.
Behaviour
Three types of behaviours are considered in the case formulation model 1) overt motor behaviours, such things as spending hours in bed, overeating and arguing with others 2) physiological responses, such things as increased heart rate, dizziness, insomnia 3) verbal behaviours, like continual request for reassurance.
Behavioural components of a client’s problems are usually best described as problematic or maladaptive.
Mood
The term ‘mood’ refers to the client’s subjective report of his emotional experience.
Relationships among the components
Synchrony: Usually a problem in one component indicates that problems in other components are also present. An underlying deficit is usually manifested in all three components at the overt level, not just one or two. If this isn’t the case, the problem is desynchronous.
Interdependence: The synchronous relationship suggest that a change in any one component is likely to produce changes in the other components. These interdependent relationships are indicated by the arrows connecting behaviour, cognitions and mood.
Underlying mechanisms
The underlying psychological mechanism is a problem or deficit that produces, or is responsible for, the individual’s overt difficulties. The therapist’s ideas about the underlying cognitions operating in any given case are best viewed as working hypotheses.
Underlying beliefs are often well-expressed in an ‘if-then’ format. Sometimes they are simpler, blanked statements.
Sometimes the client’s central problem
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Nice! Roos Heeringa contributed on 07-01-2021 12:40
hey! Ik zie dat je je Master klinische psychologie heb gebundeld - wat chill dat je andere hiermee kan helpen! Is dit alle stof van je Master?
Antwoord op Roos SanneA contributed on 07-01-2021 12:58
Hoi Roos,
FIjn dat je er wat aan hebt! De Klinische master aan de uva heeft twee vakken en daarnaast een these en stage. Dit is alle stof die je nodig hebt voor de vakken :)
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