Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is a process oriented therapy, which is based on B.F. Skinner's radical Behaviorism. It was created by Robert Kohlenberg and Mavis Tsai.

Principles of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

FAP use the therapeutic relationship as a source of reinforcement for client behavior. The use of reinforcement in session has extensive research support dating back to clinical and counseling researc in the 1960s and 1970s.(see ). FAP draws on this base and extends it by adding Skinner's conceputalization to create a behavior analytic model of the development of self ( see Behavior analysis of Child Development )

In treatment, FAP targets what is called the clinically relevant behavior (CRB1), which is the client's presenting problem as presented in-session. Client in-session actions that improve their CRB1s are referred to as CRB2s. Client statements, or verbal behavior, about CRBs are referred to as CRB3s. The CRB3s, although based on Skinner's analysis of Verbal Behavior, are what most closely approximate CBT cognitions. In session focus on client behavior approximates the psychoanalytic conception of the therapeutic alliance (which is psychoanalytic parlance contains transference and counter-transference issues).

The treatment manuals for functional analytic psychotherapy are published online for those who desire to do research