Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

'The second edition of this seminal work on Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) represents profound expansion and maturation of a groundbreaking approach. It builds on the original work by Robert Kohlenberg and his wife Mavis Tsai by adding a focus on the ACL model—living with Awareness, Courage, and Love— and linking their ideas to a process or principle based-approach more generally. An exciting and expanded group of excellent clinical authors elaborate on innovative ideas that enhance the therapist-client connection. It prepares the practitioner for a wide range of practical issues that will be confronted in creating deep, intimate, and transformative therapeutic relationships: from the therapeutic rationale to the ethics of relationship oriented work.

This updated volume is a testament to the enduring legacy of FAP and will serve as a vital resource for therapists seeking to integrate these principles into their practice. At once both gentle and inspiring, it invites both new and seasoned practitioners to cultivate a “sacred space” of trust and safety that allows growth and transformation. Beautifully and clearly written, it should be on every therapist’s shelf who believes in the relevance of a functional analytic approach. I highly recommend it.'

Steven C. Hayes,PhD, originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

'This book is a must read for anyone who does FAP, is interested in learning FAP, or simply wants a way to harness the therapeutic relationship in their approach to clinical treatment. This second edition clearly positions FAP as a functional contextual therapy and recenters FAP based on behavioral principles. The interventions here will enhance the therapeutic relationship, lead to more intense connections, and help create more powerful clinical outcomes.'

Glenn Callaghan, PhD, professor, San José State University

'As a clinician who views the therapeutic relationship as the vehicle for behavior change, I am incredibly excited about Functional Analytic Psychotherapy: Distinctive Features, 2nd Edition. Knowing the authors’ work and also knowing them personally, I can’t think of a better group to convey the essential qualities of the relational process in psychotherapy and its potential impact. I recommend that every therapist read this book. Its capacity to support clinicians in creating a genuine therapy that clients will find life-changing can’t be overstated.'

Robyn D. Walser,PhD, licensed clinical psychologist and author of Heart of ACT, co-author of Mindful Couple: How Acceptance and Mindfulness Can Lead You to the Love You Want, Learning ACT II, The ACT Workbook for Anger, and ACT for Moral Injury

'For years, data has shown us that the therapeutic relationship is perhaps the most powerful tool of change we have in psychotherapy. Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) therapists are the world experts on utilizing the therapeutic relationship with intention and precision, and I consider exposure to FAP to be invaluable to therapists of all traditions. In unpacking both the conceptual basis and clinical application of FAP in a series of well-written, pithy entries, this book is a perfect resource for clinicians who are new to FAP and as a reference for experienced hands to consult with questions about specific topics and applications. This excellent book should be on the shelf of every clinician who is interested in utilizing the power of the therapeutic relationship to full effect.'

Russell Kolts, PhD, professor of psychology, Eastern Washington University and author of CFT Made Simple, Experiencing Compassion-Focused Therapy from the Inside Out, and The Anger Workbook

'The essence of functional analytic psychotherapy is simply to understand the functions of our “outputs”. Those outputs may be speech acts, actual behaviours, emotion expressions, or motive pursuits. FAP rarely takes things at face value but helps us explore and understand the function (reasons and hopes) of our ways of processing and generating responses. These can arise from both conscious and non-conscious processing. The therapist also helps us to explore other ways goals can be achieved. The second edition of this book is a masterful overview of FAP in various forms of interaction including the therapeutic relationship. It is well written, with many excellent clinical examples and a source of therapeutic wisdoms compassionately delivered that will be of great value to therapists whatever their preferred model. Its FAB!'

Paul Gilbert, PhD, OBE, author of Compassion Focused Therapy and The Compassionate Mind

'In the 1980s, as a student of behaviorism and devoted follower of B.F. Skinner, I attended a tiny regional conference in Victoria, British Columbia. There, I met Bob Kohlenberg. As the only undergraduate—and a thirty-something who was less than three years out of drug rehab—I felt nervous and out of place, yet I was deeply passionate about the subject. At a dinner party after the conference, Bob treated me with tremendous respect as he walked me through a behavioral interpretation of the interpersonal exchange in psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Three years later, Bob and Mavis Tsai published the first book on Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), a guide for creating intense and curative therapeutic relationships. That conversation, which implicitly affirmed the importance of my own inner world, has resonated with me throughout my career and informed my own therapy and supervision. Unlike the almost exclusively client-facing approaches of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), FAP addresses the complexities that emerge within therapists as they practice. FAP views the therapist's inner world not as a nuisance to be managed, but as a crucial stream of data. The therapist’s inner world serves as a guide for navigating the therapeutic alliance and is our closest source of insight into the interpersonal challenges faced by our clients.

I encourage serious therapists, who seek more than psychotherapy cookbooks, to explore the newly revised Functional Analytic Psychotherapy: Distinctive Features. This book invites readers into a deeper exploration of this essential subject matter.'

Kelly Wilson, PhD, professor emeritus, University of Mississippi and founder of OneLife, LLC

'Functional Analytic Psychotherapy: Distinctive Features offers an accessible and enjoyable overview of what sets FAP apart, conceptually and practically. This text isn’t just about making converts, however. By offering the reader a chance to explore the therapeutic relationship from the behaviorist perspective on which FAP is based, the authors invite and empower the reader to integrate FAP into their existing practices. This revised edition will be especially useful for anyone seeking to nurture deep, authentic relationships with clients even across disparities in power, privilege, and positionality.'

Emily K. Sandoz, BCBA, PhD, Louisiana Contextual Science Research Group, UL Lafayette, and Camélia House Counseling