Insomnia Formulation (Spielman 3P Model)

When to use the Insomnia Formulation (Spielman 3P Model)

The Insomnia Formulation (Spielman 3P Model) is an interactive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) worksheet, most often used in CBT for insomnia and sleep problems.

It is designed to be used within therapy rather than as a standalone self-help tool: a therapist introduces it, works through it collaboratively, and helps make sense of what it surfaces. You can preview the full worksheet above, then assign it digitally for clients to complete between sessions on any device — or download it as a print-ready PDF.

How it works

The Insomnia Formulation (Spielman 3P Model) is a guided formulation canvas: you map the factors that made the difficulty more likely to develop (predisposing), what set it off (precipitating), and what keeps it going now (perpetuating) — showing why a problem can persist after its original trigger has passed.

Completed on the Formulate platform, your client's answers are saved automatically and shared straight back to you, so you can review them before the next session rather than waiting for a paper copy to come back.

The CBT approach behind it

In common with other CBT methods, the Insomnia Formulation (Spielman 3P Model) works by mapping how the parts of a problem connect and keep it going (formulation). The aim is not positive thinking but a clearer, shared understanding of what keeps a difficulty going — and practical, testable ways to change it.

Because it is a CBT tool it stays focused on the here-and-now links between thoughts, feelings, the body and behaviour, and it works best as one part of a wider course of therapy rather than as advice or a diagnosis.

Evidence & sources

This worksheet is grounded in established cognitive behavioural therapy theory and practice. Key sources include:

• Spielman, A.J., Caruso, L.S., & Glovinsky, P.B. (1987). A behavioral perspective on insomnia treatment. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 10(4), 541-553. doi:10.1016/S0193-953X(18)30532-X
• Morin, C.M. (2004). Cognitive-behavioral approaches to the treatment of insomnia. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 65(Suppl 16), 33-40.