754 Cultural Formulation
PAST HELP SEEKING
(Coping and Help Seeking, Religion and Spirituality, Older Adults, Care givers, Psychosocial 
Stressors, Immigrants and Refu gees, Social Network, Clinician-Patient Relationship)
Elicit various sources of help (e.g., medical care, 
mental health treatment,  support groups, work-
based counseling, folk healing, religious or spiri-
tual counseling, other form s of traditional or alter-
native healing).
Probe as needed (e.g., “What other sources of help 
have you used?”).
Clarify the indivi dual’s experience and regard for 
previous help.12. Often, people look for help from many dif-
ferent sources, including different kinds of 
doctors, helpers, or healers. In the past, 
what kinds of treatment, help, advice, or 
healing have you sought for your [PROB-
LEM]?
PROBE IF DOES NOT DESCRIBE USE-
FULNESS OF HELP RECEIVED:
What types of help or treatment were most 
useful? Not useful?
BARRIERS
(Coping and Help Seeking, Religion and Spirituality, Older Adults, Psychosocial Stressors, Immi-
grants and Refugees, Social Network, Clinician-Patient Relationship)
Clarify the role of social barriers to help seeking, 
access to care, and problems engaging in previous 
treatment.
Probe details as needed (e.g., “What got in the 
way?”).13. Has anything prevented you from getting 
the help you need?
PROBE AS NEEDED:
For example, money, work or family com-
mitments, stigma or discrimination, or lack 
of services that unde rstand your language 
or background?