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A longitudinal CBT formulation based on Beck's cognitive model of depression — mapping early experiences through core beliefs to current maintenance cycles.
This formulation maps how early life experiences shaped your core beliefs and rules for living, what critical incident activated them, and how your current thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and physical responses keep the depression going. Work through it from top to bottom with your therapist. It creates a shared map that guides the rest of therapy.
Use early in treatment to collaboratively map the maintaining cycle of the client's depression. Particularly helpful after initial assessment when you have enough information to construct a shared understanding. Revisit and refine as new information emerges through therapy.
Frame as a shared map of what keeps the low mood going, not a definitive diagnosis. You might say: 'I'd like us to draw out together how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours might be connecting to keep you stuck in this cycle. Does that sound okay?'
For clients with concentration difficulties, complete across two sessions or pre-populate key sections. For those with strong self-blame, emphasise that the formulation explains the pattern, not the person. Simplify language for clients with lower literacy or cognitive impairment.
Avoid introducing too early before therapeutic alliance is established, as seeing the full maintaining cycle can feel overwhelming. Use with caution if the client is in acute crisis where stabilisation should take priority over formulation work.
Start with a recent concrete example rather than abstract patterns. Let the client lead on which elements feel most accurate. Use the formulation to generate a shared rationale for interventions, so the client understands why you are targeting specific maintaining factors.
Suitable for clients working with depression, formulation, beck, longitudinal, cbt, core beliefs, maintenance cycle. 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.
Test the depressive prediction that "nothing will be enjoyable" by predicting pleasure before activities and comparing with actual experience.
Track activities hour by hour alongside mood to identify patterns linking what you do to how you feel.
Plan and rate activities with mastery and pleasure scores to gradually rebuild a rewarding routine.
Write a letter to yourself from the perspective of a compassionate, wise observer — addressing your struggles with understanding rather than criticism.