Cyclical Maladaptive Patterns: Interpersonal Case Formulation for Psychotherapy with Children

This paper proposes the use of Hans Strupp's case formulation method, Cyclical Maladaptive Patterns, with child clinical cases. While Strupp's case formulation method was developed for use with adults in Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy, this interpersonally-based model is viewed as consistent with recent literature in child development and psychopathology which emphasizes the centrality of peer relationships, interpersonal schema, and social attribution biases in the development of maladaptive interpersonal behavior. Application of this method underscores the interpersonal nature and context of childhood problems as well as their cyclical and self-perpetuating quality. Use of this case formulation method with children is proposed as a basis for individually tailoring treatment plans with children who have problems with aggression, rejection, and other maladaptive interpersonal patterns.