When It Is Used
Use the formulation early in OCD-focused CBT or ERP and revisit it as treatment reveals new information.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Formulation
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Formulation is a collaborative worksheet for therapists and clients in OCD-focused CBT or ERP. It helps them build a visual maintenance model linking intrusive thoughts or obsessions, meanings, emotions, and compulsive or safety behaviors.
Open the demo formulation and add sample client examples.
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Tool guide
Learn more about this tool
Use this background section to understand when the tool fits, how practitioners use it, and what to consider before sharing it with clients.
What It Produces
The output is a visual shared maintenance model linking obsessions or intrusive thoughts, appraisals, emotions, and compulsive or safety behaviors.
Revision Over Time
Partial formulations can be saved in progress, and dated updates preserve how the shared understanding changes.
Important Limits
The tool does not produce severity scores, diagnostic conclusions, risk determinations, automated intervention prescriptions, or generic formulation fields beyond the supported structure.
Is this a scored OCD measure?
No. The OCD Formulation tool produces a visual maintenance model, not a score.
Who completes it?
The therapist and client complete it collaboratively, usually early in OCD-focused CBT or ERP.
Can the formulation be incomplete?
Yes. A partial formulation can be saved in progress, with missing core areas visible rather than auto-filled.
Does it generate ERP targets?
No. It can help the therapist choose interventions, but it does not automatically generate ERP targets or treatment steps.