Functional Analytic Psychotherapy: Creating Intense and Curative Therapeutic Relationships

by Robert J. Kohlenberg, Mavis Tsai

As cognitive behavior therapy becomes increasingly integrated, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) remains a rich therapeutic method. FAP synthesizes aspects of psychodynamic and object relations therapy with traditional CBT methods, and author/ practitioners Robert Kohlenberg and Mavis Tsai originally created this book to be more than a simple how-to manual. Rather it is a powerful framework for clinicians seeking to rethink their approach to the therapeutic relationship. Now in paperback, this classic work is more relevant than ever.
The book begins with the theory behind the therapy (including its roots in B. F. Skinner’s behavior-analytic work in the 1970s), explaining why clients’ unique needs may extend beyond well-mapped routes to change. From there, the authors present the clinical principles of FAP and their uses in treating diffuse, resistant problems. Case illustrations model the therapeutic dyad, show FAP techniques in action, and offer crucial caveats. The ground how, and why, FAP works. Recognizing clinically relevant verbal behaviors. The role of the self in personality disorders. New roles for cognitions and beliefs in therapy. Memories and what they can and can’t do to promote change. How FAP fills the niche between psychodynamic and behavioral therapy. Key issues in ethics, research, and supervision.
For the clinical psychologist interested in revitalizing practice, minimizing impasses, and treating clients on a deeper emotional level, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy brings fresh insights to the many worlds within and outside the clinical setting. Graduate students, especially, will find this text a valuable window onto traditional behavioral approaches to therapy.

Genres: Psychology

231 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1991

Reviews

[Myridian · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's hard for me to believe that the verbal classification system proposed in the book (and apparently adapted from Skinner) isn't overstating the impact of subtle effects in the interest of providing clients with mysterious, what-should-be-called-unconscious-for-lack-of-a-better-term, interpretations of statements.

I do really like the focus on process though....

[Weytel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Particularmente, não fui muito adepto da FAP mas um puta livro, e me ajudou em várias dúvidas do processo terapêutico.
Ainda no fim me fez repensar novamente sobre a possibilidade de votar vegetariano. 4,5 ⭐

[AK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains some useful tidbits. My instructor said that my rant about how I found it offensive for the authors to write about rats and therapy clients in the same sentence was the best conversation we had all semester. Which I'm sure says something about someone.