title: Case Formulation in Young People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and First-Episode Psychosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence based treatment interventions for young people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and trauma histories is lacking. Although case formulation (CF) has been widely regarded in cognitive behavioural therapy manuals as beneficial, there is limited empirical research examining how clients and therapists experience the process.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore young people's reactions to CF in treatment for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and FEP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three participants (aged 19-20) with FEP and PTSD and their therapists, after they had completed a trauma-focused treatment program with a CF component. Transcripts were analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach and themes were derived.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two themes related to participants' experiences were identified from the analysis: (1) Developing Insight; (2) A challenging experience; and two themes from the therapists: (1) Doing the case formulation; (2) Value of case formulation. Participants and therapists reported benefits in making connections between current symptoms and past trauma. Participants viewed the process as challenging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest a potential discrepancy between the experience of the case formulation process for clients and therapists.
authors.affiliation: Headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program, Alfred Health, Prahan, Victoria 3181, Australia. e.halpin@alfred.org.au.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Halpin
authors.affiliation: Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia. v.kugathasan@student.unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kugathasan
authors.affiliation: Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3052, Australia. cah@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hulbert
authors.affiliation: Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, and the Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Australia. Mario.Alvarez@orygen.org.au.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Jimenez
authors.affiliation: Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, and the Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Australia. sarah.bendall@orygen.org.au.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bendall
keywords: case formulation; cognitive behavioural therapy; first-episode psychosis; post-traumatic stress disorder