On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Jacqueline Persons discuss the importance of cognitive-behavioral case formulation and tracking progress. The case formulation approach includes hypothesis testing of maintaining factors. It allows the clinician to pivot in treatment, when necessary, if specific interventions designed to target a certain mechanism are not successful in symptom reduction. Effective case formulations cover the three P’s: predisposing factors, precipitating factors, and perpetuating factors. The various benefits of progress monitoring are also discussed, and Dr. Persons provides resources for how to manage client progress, including how to effectively implement them in therapy. Dr. Persons describes how using a case formulation approach and using progress monitoring measures allow clinicians to adhere to evidence-based practice, especially when they may stray from a particular manualized treatment. This podcast is a great listen for both beginning and more experienced therapists seeking to improve treatment outcomes and learn effective strategies to adhere to evidence based practice!

Dr. Persons is a clinical psychologist that has worked in a private practice setting providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, training and consultation to professionals, and research, for more than 35 years. She is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley. She was past-president of the Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies and the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology. She is a Distinguished Founding Fellow, Certified Cognitive Therapist, and Certified Trainer of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. She is the recipient of the Outstanding Clinician award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and recipient of the Distinguished Contributions to Applied Research and Practice in Psychology award from the American Association of Applied and Preventive Psychology. She has authored 3 books and more than 70 articles and chapters.

Resources:

The Case Formulation Approach to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy:

PsychSurveys: https://www.psychsurveys.com/

Midas Practice: electronic medical records system

https://midas.umich.edu/application/electronic-medical-record-data/

Beck Depression Inventory

https://www.ismanet.org/doctoryourspirit/pdfs/Beck-Depression-Inventory-BDI.pdf

OQ-45: https://www.oqmeasures.com/oq-45-2/

Website: www.oaklandcbt.com