Case Formulation in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Abstract Case formulation, a method of personalizing brand-name psychotherapies for individual clients, is considered essential to the effective implementation of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Despite the development and utilization of a case formulation being a core competency for certification in DBT practice, many clinicians lack training on how to do so. This chapter presents the underlying theoretical framework of case formulation in DBT and describes the steps and elements involved. Each of the steps is illustrated through the presentation of a case study in which case formulation is used to guide the treatment of a client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.