A formulation is a working explanation to share with the client and your supervisor, and to revise as you learn more. Keep each factor tied to something the client said or you observed. Print with your browser's Print command; the site's menus are left off the paper.

5P formulation

Trainee: ____________________ Placement: ____________________ Date: ____________

Presenting

What the difficulties are now, in brief

Predisposing

What made the client more vulnerable: biological, psychological, social

Precipitating

What set this episode off, and when

Perpetuating

What keeps it going: thoughts, behaviours, relationships, circumstances

Protective

Strengths, supports, faith, skills, what has helped before

Working hypothesis

The formulation in a short paragraph, in words the client would recognise

What it suggests for the plan

Targets for intervention
What would show it is wrong and needs revising

Trainee: ______________________________ Date: ______________

Supervisor: ______________________________ Date: ______________

Template from PsychologyOrbit (https://psychologyorbit.com/templates/5p-formulation). Free to print and adapt. No client names, phone numbers, CNIC or hospital numbers, or dates of birth.