Praxical.Psych
Formulation

Psychodynamic formulation (CCRT)

Extract the recurring relational pattern — wish, response of other, response of self — that organises the patient’s difficulties.

Sessions 2–5 of psychodynamic work; revised continuously.15 fieldsPsychoanalytic TherapiesPsychodynamic TherapiesRelational Psychoanalysis

How this document is used well

Luborsky’s Core Conflictual Relationship Theme method turned transference into something you can code and test. Collect relationship episodes — concrete narratives with a beginning and end — and score each for three components. The theme that recurs across episodes, including the one with you, is the formulation.

  1. 1Wish (W): what the person wanted from the other.
  2. 2Response of Other (RO): what the other did, as experienced.
  3. 3Response of Self (RS): what the person then felt and did.

Also record

A full dynamic formulation adds: the level of personality organisation, the dominant defenses, the developmental history that made this pattern adaptive at the time, and what the pattern costs now. The last of these is what makes the formulation therapeutic rather than merely descriptive.

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Shows why each item is asked
Relationship episodes
Episodes

Three to five specific, recent interactions. One should involve the therapy.

The core theme
Structural assessment
Level of personality organisation

Determines how expressive or supportive the technique should be, and how early the transference can be interpreted.

Affect tolerance
Overwhelmed easilyWide window—
Psychological mindedness
ConcreteHighly reflective—
Position on the supportive–expressive continuum
Fully supportiveFully expressive—
Implications

6 required fields outstanding: Recurring wish; Recurring response of other; Recurring response of self …

Educational use only

Praxical.Psych is a teaching tool. It is not medical, clinical, psychological or legal advice, not a diagnosis, not treatment, not supervision, and not a credential. Nothing here creates a clinician–patient or solicitor–client relationship. Every patient, case, transcript and simulated session is fictional. Clinical and legal requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time — verify anything that bears on a real decision against your own regulator, statute and current professional guidance, and consult a qualified professional.

Do not enter real patient information. If you or someone else is in crisis: US & Canada 988 · UK & Ireland 116 123 · Australia 13 11 14 · elsewhere findahelpline.com · immediate danger, your local emergency number.

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Before you begin

What Praxical.Psych is, and is not

Praxical.Psych is an educational tool. It teaches the theory, evidence base and clinical method of psychotherapy at the level of an advanced survey course, and it lets you rehearse a complete session in a simulator.

It is not medical, clinical, psychological or legal advice. It cannot diagnose or treat anyone, and it does not state the law where you practise — requirements differ by jurisdiction and change. Nothing here creates a clinician–patient or solicitor–client relationship.

  • Every patient, transcript and case in this app is fictional — a composite written for teaching. None depicts a real person.
  • Praxical.Psych is not therapy, not a substitute for supervision, and not a credential. Competence to practise comes from training, supervised hours and licensure.
  • Scores from the instruments here are for learning how they behave. They are not a diagnosis and not a risk assessment, and must not inform a decision about a real person.
  • Do not enter real patient information. Everything you type stays in this browser, but that is not the same as a compliant clinical record system.
If you are in crisis

In the US and Canada, call or text 988. In the UK and Ireland, call 116 123 (Samaritans). Elsewhere, find a local line at findahelpline.com. In immediate danger, use your local emergency number.

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