A comprehensive review of research on Functional Analytic Psychotherapy. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kanter, Jonathan W.; Manbeck, Katherine E.; Kuczynski, Adam M.; Maitland, Daniel W.M.; Villas-Bôas, Alessandra; Reyes Ortega, Michel A.
• Is Part Of: Clinical psychology review. Volume 58(2017)
• Page Start: 141
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Functional Analytic Psychotherapy -- Review -- Reinforcement; Clinical psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychology, Clinical -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2017.09.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-7358

Abstract

Abstract: Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP; Kohlenberg & Tsai, 1991) is a transdiagnostic approach to outpatient psychotherapy that presented guidelines to instantiate the behavioral principle of natural, social reinforcement applied to idiographic behavioral targets within a genuine and authentic psychotherapy relationship. We present the first comprehensive review of research on FAP, including qualitative studies, uncontrolled and controlled single-case designs, group designs, and studies on training therapists in FAP. We conclude that current research support for FAP is promising but not sufficient to justify claims that FAP is research-supported for specific psychiatric disorders. There is stronger support for FAP's mechanism of therapist-as-social reinforcer: FAP techniques, when appropriately applied to idiographically defined behavioral problems—primarily in the realm of social functioning—produce positive change in those behaviors. Highlights: FAP's proposed mechanism is therapeutic social reinforcement. We conclude that FAP is not yet empirically supported for specific psychiatric disorders. Evidence supports FAP's mechanism as an agent of idiographic behavior change.