Money Matters in Psychiatric Assessment, Case Formulation, Treatment Planning, and Ongoing Psychotherapy

Clinical Psychoeconomics

Abstract

Trainees often receive little guidance concerning money matters in patients' lives and treatment, that is, clinical psycho-economics. Accordingly, this article considers: a) practical approaches to inquiring about intrapsychic and interpersonal influences of money matters pertinent to psychiatric assessment; b) how money matters should impact case formulation; c) how money matters realistically impact treatment planning; and d) money matters in ongoing psychotherapy affecting transference, countertransference, and clinical supervision. To supplement their clinical experiences, the authors conducted a limited narrative review via PubMed, followed by snowballing for articles of interest. Evidence suggests that money matters influencing intrapsychic and interpersonal lives commonly cause emotional distress, generating a range of dysfunctional behaviors. These reactions manifest as explicit conflicts, implicit issues, and unequivocal money-related pathologies. Clinical vignettes illustrate specific issues. By explicitly addressing money matters in patient's intrapsychic and interpersonal lives, trainees can enrich their assessments, case formulations, treatment planning, and ongoing psychotherapy.