A formulation based on Ehlers and Clark's cognitive model of PTSD — mapping the nature of the trauma memory, negative appraisals, sense of current threat, and the maintaining strategies.
PTSD Formulation (Ehlers & Clark)
PreviewNature of Trauma Memory
How the memory is stored — not the content
Not answered
Negative Appraisals
Of the trauma and/or its aftermath
About the trauma:
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About symptoms / aftermath:
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Sense of Current Threat
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Intrusions & Re-experiencing
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Cognitive & Behavioural Strategies
Well-intentioned but maintain the problem
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Prevents Processing
Strategies block memory elaboration and appraisal updating
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What resources, strengths, and supports might help in recovery?
Protective factors
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Strengths & resources
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What stands out about how the coping strategies are maintaining the problem?
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This is a read-only preview. Sign up to assign it and let clients complete it on any device.
The PTSD Formulation (Ehlers & Clark) is an interactive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) worksheet, most often used in CBT for trauma and PTSD.
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.
Most people work through it in around 25 minutes. It moves through three short steps:
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.
In common with other CBT methods, the PTSD Formulation (Ehlers & Clark) 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.
This worksheet is grounded in established cognitive behavioural therapy theory and practice. Key sources include:
Formulate provides educational CBT resources for use with a qualified therapist. They are not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis, or crisis care.
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Identify triggers that activate trauma memories and systematically compare the original trauma context with the present reality to reduce flashback intensity.