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A longitudinal formulation mapping early experiences, core beliefs (schemas), coping strategies, and current patterns — the foundation for schema-focused work.
This formulation tells your life story through the lens of schemas: what happened early on, what you learned about yourself and others, what rules and strategies you developed to cope, and how those patterns play out now — including in therapy. It's a collaborative document that develops over time. You don't need to complete it all at once.
Use for clients with long-standing, pervasive patterns of thinking and behaviour rooted in early maladaptive schemas, typically in the context of personality difficulties or recurrent treatment-resistant depression. This formulation maps early experiences to schema development, coping modes, and current maintaining cycles. Appropriate when standard CBT formulations do not capture the complexity of the presentation.
Explain the schema concept: 'Some of the difficulties you experience seem to come from very deep-seated patterns that developed early in your life. Let's map these out together, looking at how your early experiences shaped certain beliefs and ways of coping that made sense then but may be causing problems now.'
For clients who find schema language pathologising, use terms like 'core patterns' or 'deep beliefs' instead. For those with extensive trauma histories, proceed cautiously and ensure emotional regulation strategies are in place before detailed schema exploration. Consider using imagery or metaphor to make abstract schema concepts more tangible.
Not appropriate for straightforward Axis I presentations where a standard CBT formulation is sufficient. Avoid premature schema-level work before establishing emotional safety and therapeutic alliance. Not suitable if the client is in acute crisis or has active substance misuse that needs addressing first.
Schema formulations typically require more sessions to develop than standard CBT formulations. Use the Young Schema Questionnaire or schema mode inventory to supplement clinical assessment. The formulation should map schemas to current triggers, coping responses (surrender, avoidance, overcompensation), and maintaining cycles. This formulation often becomes the basis for a longer-term treatment plan.
Suitable for clients working with schema, formulation, longitudinal, cbt, personality, core beliefs, early maladaptive schemas. This tool can be used as a standalone worksheet or as part of a structured homework plan.
Create a free account to access 10 worksheets per month.
Review evidence for and against a core belief across different life periods — childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Identify recurring patterns across relationships — mapping what triggers the pattern, what you expect, what you do, and the outcome.
Track schema activations — when old patterns get triggered, what mode you went into, and what you could do differently.
Create coping flashcards that capture a triggering situation, the old unhelpful response, and a new, more adaptive response — for quick reference in difficult moments.