Cross-Sectional Formulation Worksheet
By
HappierTherapy
Author bio
The Happier Therapy editorial team is made up of Masters and PhD counselling psychologists. Each worksheet is created by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The worksheet then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
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What is the theory behind this Cross Sectional Formulation Worksheet?
A cross-sectional formulation in therapy is a summary of the client’s current emotional state, behaviours and symptoms used at any point during therapy to assess the client’s position on the treatment timeline. It is different from the longitudinal formulation which is more long-term. The purpose remains the same to be able to form a collaborative understanding with the client on their presenting issues and circumstances so that therapeutic goals can be modified if needed.
How will the worksheet help?
This worksheet will provide a template for a cross-sectional formulation that therapists can use in their therapy process with various clients. It is a simple format that can be easily used to help the client understand how their problematic thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are interconnected and where a change can produce a helpful outcome.
How to use the worksheet?
This worksheet can be used multiple times at any point in therapy to reassess and evaluate a client’s current position with respect to their therapeutic goals. Discuss with the client and take note of their present problems and current situation to summarise where they stand on the therapeutic timeline and what further actions need to be taken.
