Formulation in eating disorder focused family therapy: why, when and how?

Abstract

Plain English summary All clinicians, families and young people are constantly trying to make sense of the difficulties people present to treatment with and how it progresses once it has started. This process is called formulation and is occurring whether people are conscious of it or not. It is through the formulation process that a person’s specific difficulties are understood, how treatment goals are established, and how treatments can be more effectively reviewed when there is a lack of progress. Despite these potential benefits, formulation is not always prioritised in day-to-day practice. This article outlines formulation practices in eating disorder focused family therapy. It then provides guidance on why, when and how formulation could be incorporated more consistently. Potential benefits and pitfalls are considered, as well as considerations of how to make sure the formulation is collaboratively developed with the families and team to avoid individual biases and assumptions.

Keywords

• Formulation
• Maudsley family therapy
• FT-AN
• FT-BN
• Family based treatment
• FBT