In the inverted pyramid method (IPM), which statement is true about the second step?

• A. Data collection
• B. Thematic Groupings
• C. Case formulation
• D. Treatment planning

Answer: (B)

In the inverted pyramid method, you first gather all relevant information about the client, but the crucial next move is to organize that information into thematically related groupings. Turning the raw data into themes lets you see patterns and connections across different areas—such as symptoms, functioning, relationships, triggers, and strengths. Those themes become the clear, coherent basis for forming a case formulation, which ties together what’s happening with why it might be happening and how it affects the client. Only after this organized understanding can you move on to treatment planning, ensuring interventions target the underlying patterns you've identified. Data collection is the prerequisite, and case formulation and treatment planning come later, once the data has been thematically organized.