Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39239988›Full record

ArticlePsychology and psychotherapy2025

'Like walking with someone as opposed to trying to catch up to them'-Dynamics at play when clinicians and young people formulate together.

Laura J Douglas, Cian Aherne, Patrick Ryan, Barry Coughlan, Donal G Fortune

Abstract read
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Article in Psychology and psychotherapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Laura J DouglasPsychology Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.ORCID 0009-0009-3464-1053
Cian AherneJigsaw Youth Mental Health Services, Limerick, Ireland.
Patrick RyanPsychology Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Barry CoughlanPsychology Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Donal G FortunePsychology Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe aim of the present study was to explore the social process of formulation in talk therapy between young people and clinicians.

designQualitative semi-structured interview study.

methodTen young people (male = 6, female = 4, age range = 16-23 years) and nine clinicians from various disciplines within a youth mental health service were interviewed. Constructivist grounded theory was used for the analysis.

resultsFour themes were constructed from the data; a 'level playing field' between young person and clinician enables formulation, formulating is a constant process of getting it right and getting it wrong, emotional expression and attunement get us closer to each other and to understanding, and 'formulation versus diagnosis' can create tension in the therapy room. The constructivist grounded theory devised demonstrated how the dynamics of power, collaboration, openness, and the therapeutic relationship are constantly in flux during the process of formulation.

conclusionThe paper presents a constructivist grounded theory which incorporates dynamics relating to power, collaboration, and openness. The importance of the therapeutic relationship is also emphasised. The theory encourages continuous and recursive personal reflection by the therapist as to how they can be optimally attuned to the dynamics of power, collaboration, and openness with young people.

Indexed as

Cooperative BehaviorProfessional-Patient RelationsPsychotherapyAdolescentAdultFemaleGrounded TheoryHumansMaleQualitative ResearchYoung Adultcase conceptualisationformulationpsychotherapytherapeutic processestransitional aged youth

Identifiers

PMID39239988
PMCPMC12065053

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