Case formulation in emotion-focused therapy

Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy: A Review of Theory and Practice

Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy is a relatively short-term and effective couples therapy developed to change the negative interaction cycles and emotional reactions of couples experiencing difficulties in their relationships. While laying the foundations of this approach, which focuses on emotions, humanist and systemic principles were used. In this article, it is aimed to present a compilation study that includes the theoretical and practical processes of emotion-focused couple therapy for mental health professionals. The basic assumptions of emotion-focused therapy and how these affect couple therapy practice are examined. Various themes are outlined, including working with emotion types, the role of the therapist, therapy phases, and case formulation. Types of emotion-focused couples therapy developed for specific groups of couples with a particular background have also been discussed. Finally, the strengths and limitations of the approach, its place in couples therapy, and suggestions for future research are presented.

Case formulation as a bridge between theory, clinical practice, and research: A commentary

This commentary section is based on a comparative analysis of the five articles and case examples presented in this special issue. The place of Case Formulation in the field of psychotherapy is conceptualized as a necessary bridge between diagnostic systems and clinical practice. The common aspects of the five approaches included in the issue, as well as of the cases to which they were applied, are discussed to explore their possible cross-theoretical nature, especially in psychotherapy with more severe cases. All the clients presented in this section have experienced traumas, which manifest themselves as difficulties in their interpersonal relationships. We discuss the value of Case Formulation in the context of clinical practice and research as well as the challenges of fostering the cross-theoretical approach of this tool.

Case formulation of interpersonal patterns and its impact on the therapeutic process: Introduction to the issue

Authors included in this issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In-Session come from diverse theoretical orientations but discuss methods of case conceptualization that share these assumptions: (1) that interpersonal patterns are salient to a good understanding of patient personality and problems and (2) that an individual formulation is helpful in responsively tailoring in-session processes to meet therapeutic goals. We believe these assumptions resonate with many practitioners working across settings, levels of severity, and theoretical orientations. Each author offers an overview of theory as well as a detailed case description that emphasizes the implications of each formulation for the subsequent process of therapy. A final paper provides commentary across the source papers. The issue is thus evocative not only about clinical practice issues but also of underlying theory. It speaks to the challenges and possibilities of transtheoretical integrated practice and research within our focal domain of common interest, interpersonal relationships.