Case conceptualisation

Question 1

Name some common thinking errors

Answer 1

all or nothing thinking
overgeneralisation
discounting the positives
should and must statements
jumping to conclusions
Magnification or minimisation

Question 2

Describe the 3 main guiding principles of CBT case conceptualisation.

Answer 2

1 levels of conceptualisation: moves from description to explanatory frameworks linking triggers, maintenance cycles, predisposing and protective factors

2 collaborative empiricism: working together, integrating theory, generating, testing hypotheses

3 strengths focus: actively focuses on client strengths, strengthen resources and resilience

Question 3

What are the evidence based guidelines for generating good enough cbt case conceptualisation?

Answer 3

1. Conceptualise the best available cbt theory and research
2. Use a hypothesis testing approach
3. Provide adequate tests for conceptualisation
4. Counter balance decision making errors
5. Make conceptualisation explicit