ABSTRACT
This chapter presents current work on formulation in psychotherapy and concentrates mostly on psychodynamic formulation. A theoretical rationale for the construction and use of formulations in psychotherapy is presented. Next, two formal systems for formulation which have been developed are described along with the experimental work done using them. The limitations and difficulties in formulations are discussed and, finally, a clinical approach to formulation, which is an integral part of a theoretical approach to brief therapy known as Cognitive Analytic Therapy (Ryle, 1990), is presented. The way in which some of the difficulties with formulations are contended with in CAT is demonstrated.
