Functional analytic psychotherapy

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Functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP) is a psychotherapeutic approach based on clinical behavior analysis (CBA) that focuses on the therapeutic relationship as a means to maximize client change. Specifically, FAP suggests that in-session contingent responding to client target behaviors leads to significant therapeutic improvements.

Contents

FAP was first conceptualized in the 1980s by psychologists Robert Kohlenberg and Mavis Tsai who, after noticing a clinically significant association between client outcomes and the quality of the therapeutic relationship, set out to develop a theoretical and psychodynamic model of behavioral psychotherapy based on these concepts. Behavioral principles (e.g., reinforcement, generalization) form the basis of FAP. [1] [2] (See § The five rules below.)

FAP is an idiographic (as opposed to nomothetic) approach to psychotherapy. This means that FAP therapists focus on the function of a client's behavior instead of the form. The aim is to change a broad class of behaviors that might look different on the surface but all serve the same function. It is idiographic in that the client and therapist work together to form a unique clinical formulation of the client's therapeutic goals, rather than one therapeutic target for every client who enters therapy.

Basics

FAP posits that client behaviors that occur in their out-of-session interpersonal relationships (i.e. in the "real world") will, if clients are given a therapeutic relationship of sufficiently high quality, occur in the therapy session as well. Based on these in-session behaviors, FAP therapists, in collaboration with their client, develop a case formulation that includes classes of behaviors (based on their function not their form) that the client wishes to increase and decrease. [2]

In-session occurrence of a client's problematic behavior is called clinically relevant behavior 1 (CRB1). In-session occurrence of improvements is called clinically relevant behavior 2 (CRB2). The goal of FAP therapy is to decrease the frequency of CRB1s and increase the frequency of CRB2s.

The FAP therapist evokes (i.e. sets the context for) CRB1s and in response gradually shapes CRB2s.

The five rules

"The five rules" operationalize the FAP therapist's behavior with respect to this goal. It is important to note that the five rules are not rules in the traditional sense of the word, but instead a set of guidelines for the FAP therapist. [3]

The ACL model

Researchers at the Center for the Science of Social Connection at the University of Washington are developing a model of social connection that they believe is relevant to FAP. This model – called the ACL model – delineates behaviors relevant to social connection based on decades of scientific research. [4]

FAP has the potential to target awareness, courage, and love behaviors as they occur in session as described by the five rules above. More research is needed to confirm the utility of the ACL model. [5] [6]

Research support

Radical behaviorism and the field of clinical behavior analysis have strong scientific support. [7] [8] Additionally, researchers have conducted a number of case studies, [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] component process analyses, [13] [18] [19] [20] a study with non-randomized design on FAP-enhanced cognitive therapy for depression, [21] and a randomized controlled trial on FAP-enhanced acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation. [22]

Third generation behavior therapy

FAP belongs to a group of therapies referred to as third-generation behavior therapies (or third-wave behavior therapies) that includes dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), behavioral activation (BA), and integrative behavioral couples therapy (IBCT). [23]

Criticism

FAP has been criticized for "being ahead of the data", i.e. having not enough empirical support to justify its widespread use. [24] Challenges encountered by FAP researchers are widely discussed [25] [26] There is also criticism of using the ACL model as it detracts from the idiographic nature of FAP. [27]

Professional organizations

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References

  1. ↑ Kohlenberg, R. J., & Tsai, M. (1991). Functional analytic psychotherapy: A guide for creating intense and curative therapeutic relationships. New York, NY: Plenum.
  2. 1 2 Tsai, M., Kohlenberg, R. J., Kanter, J. W., Kohlenberg, B., Follette, W., & Callaghan, G. (2009). A guide to functional analytic psychotherapy: Awareness, courage, love and behaviorism. New York, NY: Springer.
  3. ↑ Tsai, M., Kohlenberg, R. J., Kanter, J. W., Waltz, J. (2009). Therapeutic technique: The five rules. In: M. Tsai, R. Kohlenberg, J. Kanter, B. Kohlenberg, W. Follette, G. Callaghan (Eds.) A guide to functional analytic psychotherapy: Awareness, courage, love, and behaviorism. (pp. 61–102). NY, Springer
  4. ↑ e.g., Reis, H. T., & Shaver, P. (1988). Intimacy as an interpersonal process In: S. Duck (Ed.), Handbook of personal relationships (pp. 367–389). Chichester, England: Wiley & Sons.
  5. ↑ Kanter, Jonathan W.; Holman, Gareth; Wilson, Kelly G. (2014). "Where is the love? Contextual behavioral science and behavior analysis". Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. 3 (2): 69–73. doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2014.02.001.
  6. ↑ Haworth, Kevin; Kanter, Jonathan W.; Tsai, Mavis; Kuczynski, Adam M.; Rae, James R.; Kohlenberg, Robert J. (2015). "Reinforcement matters: A preliminary, laboratory-based component-process analysis of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy's model of social connection". Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. 4 (4): 281–291. doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2015.08.003.
  7. ↑ Kazdin, A. E. (2001). Behavior modification in applied settings (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
  8. ↑ Catania, A. C. (1998). Learning. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
  9. ↑ Baruch, D. E.; Kanter, J. W.; Busch, A. M.; Juskiewicz, K. L. (2009). "Enhancing the Therapy Relationship in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Psychotic Symptoms" (PDF). Clinical Case Studies. 8 (3): 241–257. doi:10.1177/1534650109334818. S2CID   143507107.
  10. ↑ Callaghan, Glenn M.; Summers, Caitlin J.; Weidman, Michael (2003). "The Treatment of Histrionic and Narcissistic Personality Disorder Behaviors: A Single-Subject Demonstration of Clinical Improvement Using Functional Analytic Psychotherapy" (PDF). Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. 33 (4): 321–339. doi:10.1023/B:JOCP.0000004502.55597.81. S2CID   42066477.
  11. ↑ Lopez, F. J. (2003). "Jealousy: A case of application of functional analytic psychotherapy". Psychology in Spain. 7: 88–98.
  12. ↑ García, Rafael Ferro; Aguayo, Luis Valero; Montero, M. Carmen Vives (2006). "Application of functional analytic psychotherapy: Clinical analysis of a patient with depressive disorder". The Behavior Analyst Today. 7: 1–18. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.494.7217 . doi:10.1037/h0100143.
  13. 1 2 Holman, Gareth I; Kanter, Jonathan W; Landes, Sara J; Busch, Andrew M; Rusch, Laura C; Brown, Keri R; Baruch, David E (1901). "The Effect of Contingent Reinforcement on Target Variables in Outpatient Psychotherapy for Depression: A Successful and Unsuccessful Case Using Functional Analytic Psychotherapy". Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 39 (4): 463–7. doi:10.1901/jaba.2006.21-06. PMC   1702324 . PMID   17236346.
  14. ↑ Kohlenberg, R. J.; Tsai, M (1994). "Improving cognitive therapy for depression with functional analytic psychotherapy: Theory and case study". The Behavior Analyst. 17 (2): 305–319. doi:10.1007/BF03392678. PMC   2733466 . PMID   22478194.
  15. ↑ Kohlenberg, R. J.; Vandenberghe, L (2007). "Treatment-resistant OCD, inflated responsibility, and the therapeutic relationship: Two case examples". Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 80 (Pt 3): 455–65. doi:10.1348/147608306X163483. PMID   17877868.
  16. ↑ Manos, R. C.; Kanter, J. W.; Rusch, L. C.; Turner, L. B.; Roberts, N. A.; Busch, A. M. (2009). "Integrating Functional Analytic Psychotherapy and Behavioral Activation for the Treatment of Relationship Distress" (PDF). Clinical Case Studies. 8 (2): 122–138. doi:10.1177/1534650109332484. S2CID   145403089.
  17. ↑ Wagner, A. W. (2005). "A behavioral approach to the case of Ms. S" (PDF). Journal of Psychotherapy Integration. 15: 101–114. doi:10.1037/1053-0479.15.1.101.
  18. ↑ Busch, A. M.; Kanter, J. W.; Callaghan, G. M.; Baruch, D. E.; Weeks, C. E.; Berlin, K. S. (2009). "A micro-process analysis of functional analytic psychotherapy's mechanism of change" (PDF). Behavior Therapy. 40 (3): 280–290. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2008.07.003. PMID   19647529.
  19. ↑ Busch, Andrew M.; Callaghan, Glenn M.; Kanter, Jonathan W.; Baruch, David E.; Weeks, Cristal (2009). "The Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Rating Scale: A Replication and Extension" (PDF). Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. 40: 11–19. doi:10.1007/s10879-009-9122-8. S2CID   9920824.
  20. ↑ Landes, Sara J.; Kanter, Jonathan W.; Weeks, Cristal E.; Busch, Andrew M. (2013). "The impact of the active components of functional analytic psychotherapy on idiographic target behaviors". Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. 2 (1–2): 49–57. doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2013.03.004.
  21. ↑ Kohlenberg, Robert J.; Kanter, Jonathan W.; Bolling, Madelon Y.; Parker, Chauncey R.; Tsai, Mavis (2002). "Enhancing cognitive therapy for depression with functional analytic psychotherapy: Treatment guidelines and empirical findings" (PDF). Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. 9 (3): 213–229. doi:10.1016/S1077-7229(02)80051-7.
  22. ↑ Gifford, E. V.; Kohlenberg, B. S.; Hayes, S. C.; Pierson, H. M.; Piasecki, M. P.; Antonuccio, D. O.; Palm, K. M. (2011). "Does acceptance and relationship focused of functional analytic psychotherapy and acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation". Behavior Therapy. 42 (4): 700–715. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2011.03.002. PMID   22035998.
  23. ↑ Hayes, S.; Masuda, A.; Bissett, R.; Luoma, J.; Guerrero, L. (2004). "DBT, FAR and ACT: How empirically oriented are the new behavior therapy technologies?" (PDF). Behavior Therapy. 35: 35–54. doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(04)80003-0.
  24. ↑ e.g. Corrigan, P. W. (2001). "Getting ahead of the data: A threat to some behavior therapies". The Behavior Therapist, 24, 189–193.
  25. ↑ Maitland, D. W. M.; Gaynor, S. T. (2012). "Promoting Efficacy Research on Functional Analytic Psychotherapy". International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy. 7 (2–3): 63–71. doi:10.1037/h0100939.
  26. ↑ Weeks, C. E.; Kanter, J. W.; Bonow, J. T.; Landes, S. J.; Busch, A. M. (2012). "Translating the theoretical into practical: A logical framework of functional analytic psychotherapy interactions for research, training, and clinical purposes". Behavior Modification. 36 (1): 87–119. doi:10.1177/0145445511422830. PMID   22053068. S2CID   13870412.
  27. ↑ e.g., Darrow S. M.; Follette W. C. (2014). "Where's the beef?: Reply to Kanter, Holman, and Wilson". Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. 3 (4): 265–268. doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2014.08.007.
  28. ↑ Long, Douglas. "Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS)". ContextualScience.org. ACBS. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  29. ↑ Twyman, J.S. (2007). "A new era of science and practice in behavior analysis". Association for Behavior Analysis International: Newsletter. 30 (3): 1–4.
  30. ↑ Hassert, D.L.; Kelly, A.N.; Pritchard, J.K.; Cautilli, J.D. (2008). "The licensing of behavior analysts: protecting the profession and the public". Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention. 5 (2): 8–19. doi:10.1037/h0100415.
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