Conflict, as the Achilles heel of perceptual control, offers a unifying approach to the formulation of psychological problems

The formulation of psychological problems is an integral part of psychological treatment. Since perceptual control theory provides one explanation of how problem-free living occurs it also suggests the form that problems might take when satisfactory day-to-day living is disrupted. In this article I briefly outline perceptual control theory and explain how psychological difficulties are conceptualised with this theory. Next I offer some examples from clinical practice which illustrate the problem formulation of perceptual control theory. Finally I explore the implications of this formulation approach for people who assist others in the amelioration of psychological troubles.