FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is FAP an empirically supported psychotherapy package?

Not yet. Randomized trials of FAP are ongoing. However, unlike other empirically supported psychotherapies which have been shown to be effective but it is unclear why they are effective, the opposite has happened with FAP. A growing body of single-subject research strongly suggests that the mechanism underlying FAP techniques does produce specific improvements in targeted client behaviors. FAP therapists focus on learning this underlying mechanism which has been shown to be important in several research studies. FAP also is informed by large scientific literatures on the development of close personal relationships, the importance of the therapeutic alliance to therapy outcomes, how to maximize behavior change through reinforcement, and the neurochemistry of love and attachment.

Is FAP for a specific disorder?

Research has shown that adding FAP to CBT improves depression outcomes, but FAP is not specific to depression. FAP targets interpersonal relationships and social connections, which have been shown to be very important across a variety of depression, anxiety, personality and other disorders. The goal of FAP is to help clients with their ability to authentically express who they deeply yearn to be in their relationships, broadly defined. How does FAP use awareness, courage, and love in therapy? The terms awareness, courage, and love are frequently used in descriptions of FAP. The term love in particular sometimes is of concern to therapists. FAP provides explicit behavioral science definitions and understanding of these terms, and FAP therapists think beyond the actual words and to the fundamental nature of social connection implied by these terms. FAP does not require that therapists use these specific terms and therapists are encouraged to use any terms that work effectively for themselves and their clients.

How does FAP use awareness, courage, and love in therapy?

The terms awareness, courage, and love are frequently used in descriptions of FAP. The term love in particular sometimes is of concern to therapists. FAP provides explicit behavioral science definitions and understanding of these terms, and FAP therapists think beyond the actual words and to the fundamental nature of social connection implied by these terms. FAP does not require that therapists use these specific terms and therapists are encouraged to use any terms that work effectively for themselves and their clients.