Meanders of conceptualisation. Part 1. When conceptualisation meets diagnosis

The article presents the importance of case conceptualisation in cognitive behavioural therapy. Conceptualisation is a key element that allows the therapist to understand the patient’s problems and plan an appropriate course of psychotherapy. The development of a conceptualisation is carried out in collaboration with the patient and involves analysing their current difficulties, life history, and the causes of the problems. The process of creating a case conceptualisation enables the determination of therapeutic directions and the selection of an appropriate treatment protocol. The article also discusses, from a theoretical perspective, the process of building a conceptualisation, including the diagnostic stage, and provides practical examples. Additionally, it highlights the crucial role of supervision during patient conceptualisation and presents a practical example in a cognitive behavioural framework. Another aim of the article is to enable readers to use the information it contains as guidance, which may be helpful in preparing a patient conceptualisation report and in discussing the conceptualisation with the patient.