"A New Therapy for Each Patient": Integrative Case Formulation and Treatment in the Case of Ms. Q

Abstract

Ingram's (2009) case history of Ms. Q demonstrates how an integrative model can be used to tailor the treatment approach to the individual client. Ms. Q is a married mother in her midthirties who seeks help for difficulties balancing career goals and family relationships, whose only diagnoses fall under DSM-IV V-Code categories. This commentary focuses on issues salient to clinicians in training, including (a) the pressure to choose a theoretical orientation, (b) the complexities of choosing a treatment approach for any individual client, and (c) the relationship between discrete symptoms and general problems of living. I also address Ingram's (2009) case formulation and treatment model in the context of current theories of psychotherapy integration.