Making Psychological Thinking Visible
The SSF Visual Psychological Formulations collection brings together current developments, psychological theory and systems thinking into clear, evidence-informed visual resources.
Rather than simply illustrating information, each visual formulation applies the Six Stages Framework (SSF) to help identify psychological patterns, understand movement towards belonging or harm, and support deeper reflection about individuals, organisations and society.
SSF Guiding Principle
“The purpose of an SSF Visual Psychological Formulation is not simply to explain events, but to make psychological thinking visible.”
These visual formulations accompany Through the SSF Lens News Briefings, Weekly Reflections, Special Reports and other SSF publications. Each resource translates complex psychological concepts into practical tools that can be used for learning, professional dialogue, supervision, leadership development and reflective practice.
Every formulation represents a process of psychological enquiry. Rather than asking only “What happened?”, the SSF encourages us to ask:
- What patterns are emerging?
- What psychological processes might explain them?
- What stage of movement are we observing?
- Which cave themes may be influencing thinking?
- How might individuals, organisations or systems begin moving towards greater belonging?
Each SSF Visual Psychological Formulation typically includes:
- Current Developments
- Psychological Formulation
- Through the SSF Lens Analysis
- Stage Reflections
- Cave Themes
- Systems Thinking
- Reflective Questions
Designed for psychologists, educators, leaders, researchers and organisations, these resources aim to make psychological thinking visible while encouraging curiosity, dialogue and bridge-building.
Every visual formulation concludes with the question that sits at the heart of the Six Stages Framework:
What are you looking at—and how does it look through the SSF lens?
Latest Publications
VF001 | Lived Experience Is Evidence
A visual psychological formulation exploring how lived experience contributes to psychological understanding and systems change.
Read the formulation →
📰 Read News Briefing 001
📚 Read the Weekly Reflection
🎙 Listen to the Podcast
📖 Explore the Living Archive article
VF002 | From Symptoms to Systems
Exploring how psychological formulation moves us beyond surface explanations towards systems thinking.
Read the formulation →
VF003 | Measuring What Matters
A visual reflection on psychological safety, belonging and organisational change.
Read the formulation →
Using SSF Visual Psychological Formulations
SSF Visual Psychological Formulations are designed to support reflective thinking, professional dialogue and systems understanding. Rather than providing definitive answers, they encourage readers to explore the psychological processes, relationships and systemic influences that shape human behaviour.
These visual resources can be used in a variety of settings, including:
Educational Psychology
- Supporting psychological formulation
- Case discussions
- Reflective supervision
- Consultation with schools and families
- Training and professional development
Education and SEND
- Staff meetings and CPD
- Leadership discussions
- SEND and inclusion planning
- Educational leadership programmes
- Student support and pastoral teams
Leadership and Organisations
- Leadership reflection
- Psychological safety discussions
- Organisational development
- Culture change initiatives
- Equality, diversity and belonging conversations
Higher Education and Research
- Teaching and seminars
- Professional training
- Guided inquiry
- Research discussions
- Critical reflection
- Dissertation and doctoral supervision
Coaching and Reflective Practice
- Individual coaching
- Team reflection
- Clinical supervision
- Professional learning communities
- Personal reflective practice
Suggested Reflective Questions
Each formulation is intended to stimulate curiosity rather than certainty. As you engage with the visual, consider:
- What psychological patterns do I notice?
- What assumptions am I making?
- What might I be overlooking?
- What stage of the SSF continuum is reflected here?
- Which cave themes may be influencing thinking?
- What helps people move towards greater belonging?
- What practical actions could begin building bridges?
Explore Related Resources
🌉 Through the SSF Lens
Psychological reflections on current events and society.https://www.sixstagesframework.com/through-the-ssf-lens/
📚 SSF Living Archive
Revisiting earlier work through today’s understanding.https://www.sixstagesframework.com/ssf-living-archive/
🧠 SSF Case Formulations
Applying the Six Stages Framework in professional practice.https://www.sixstagesframework.com/ssf-case-formulations/
Linked in SSF Weekly Newsletter #4
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-ssf-more-than-framework-dr-shungu-hilda-m-gadzah-1xlle
