The Extended Investigation

ABSTRACT

@#The aim of the extended investigation is to probe the mind for specific situations or issues that may help unravel the patient’s problem. The tool used is the mnemonic of CAR-ACE (clarifications, assumptions, reasons, alternatives, consequences, and relational experiencing). This disciplined inquiry brings information about feelings and thinking into the open, relating to the situation at hand. This is often used in problem work when troublesome situations are identified. It is used to uncover the Negative Automatic Thoughts arising from cognitive distortions that triggered the emotions. It is also used in pattern work to investigate the salient situations linked by themes into stories. The themes and stories can then be investigated for consistency and context.