ABSTRACT
Case studies have been fundamental in developing work with clients across a wide range of professions; examples include business, medicine and psychology. This chapter considers some of the issues that arise in learning from case studies. The development of an understanding between practitioner and client of the issues faced and factors impacting on change is a key professional responsibility. This provides a narrative for change. A brief overview of case formulation and useful ways to apply it in understanding coaching is presented. Case formulation is sometimes seen as a statement of the issues faced and then some form of account of factors necessary to be considered in order to create a plan for change. In this way it is a story (a noun) informed by evidence. Alternatively, case formulation is seen as an ongoing process, a search for meaning, formulating (a verb).
A framework for using case formulation to explore the case studies in this volume will be presented. This will also provide guidance for practitioners to examine their own case work.
