La formulation de cas : un modèle d’évaluation psychologique de l’enfant et de l’adolescent

Abstract

This article presents the case formulation approach to child and adolescent clinical psychology assessment. Case formulation was developed as a response to psychiatric diagnosis, which was seen as a reductionist approach to complex mental health issues. Clinical psychologists embraced this model, mainly developed by cognitive behavioural therapists, and adapted it. Nowadays, case formulation is widely used by child clinical psychologists in their everyday practice. It consists of adopting different theoretical lenses to understand a child's psychological difficulties and integrate current theoretical and research findings that can enhance the understanding of the case. It is both an evidence based approach and a type of reflexive practice. The aim of case formulation is to make suggestions and propose the treatment of choice. However, its collaborative nature means that families are part of the decision making process, which reinforces the therapeutic relationship. The present article presents the three major theoretical lenses that are used in a case formulation: cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic and systemic. The same vignette is used throughout to show the relevance and complementary aspects of each clinical model.