ABSTRACT
CFT suggests that humans face two types of threat, physical and social, and that many (but not all) mental health problems are linked to interpersonal and intrapersonal threat, and difficulties in creating and maintaining caring connections with themselves and others. While there are many different functions for formulation, this chapter outlines how difficult early and current life experiences can carry through into various types of safety behaviours. These often reduce rather than increase a sense of socially safe, caring connecting. It also highlights that formulation takes into consideration how people are functioning in their four basic domains of: motives, emotions, competencies, and specific behaviours. Formulation not only focuses on where one has come from but also the processes of the journey ahead including potential struggles and obstacles. Hence, the second part of this chapter explores likely fears, blocks, and resistances to the therapeutic journey.
