WHERE DO MY MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS COME FROM? (FROM A CBT PERSPECTIVE)
What Is a Longitudinal Formulation in CBT & Why It’s So Helpful?
In Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a longitudinal formulation is like a PSYCHOLOGICAL ROADMAP. It helps clients understand not just what they’re struggling with RIGHT NOW, but how their past experiences, beliefs, & coping styles have contributed to the problem over time.
Imagine trying to solve a puzzle without seeing the full picture. That’s what working on current symptoms ALONE can feel like. A longitudinal formulation ZOOMS OUT & helps connect the dots across someone’s LIFE STORY. Giving context to current struggles.
🔍 So, what does it include?
A longitudinal formulation often explores:
- Early experiences (e.g. childhood, schooling, key relationships)
- Core beliefs formed as a result (e.g. “I’m not good enough”, “People can’t be trusted”)
- Rules for living (e.g. “IF I don’t try to please everyone, THEN I’ll be rejected”, “I MUST not make mistakes”, “Others SHOULD listen to me”)
- Triggers in the present day
- Maintenance cycles: patterns of thoughts, feelings, & behaviours that KEEP THE PROBLEM GOING
Why is this helpful for clients?
- It gives insight into WHY problems developed
- Helps reduce shame because the problems start making sense in the context of their history
- Builds self-compassion by understanding that these beliefs & behaviours ONCE SERVED A PURPOSE
- Helps identify UNHELPFUL PATTERNS that can now be updated
- Empowers clients to work on deep-rooted beliefs, not just surface-level symptoms
This isn’t about blaming the past, it’s about making sense of it. When clients see how their mind learned to protect them in earlier life, they can start to gently challenge old beliefs that no longer serve them today.
In short: A longitudinal formulation helps turn confusion into clarity. It gives people the understanding & tools they need to move forward.
Recovery often begins when the WHOLE PICTURE starts to make sense.