The Functional Idiographic Assessment Template (FIAT) system: For use with interpersonally-based interventions including Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) and FAP-enhanced treatments.

Abstract

Relationship or interpersonal skills are considered important targeted behaviors for many psychotherapies. Behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy interventions continue to be utilized for interpersonal problems and personality disorders. Contemporary behavior therapies, including Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, target the amelioration of complex social and interpersonal skills deficits and develop more effective behaviors that create meaningful relationships for clients. While traditional taxonomies exist, few are able to capture either the functional nature or the uniquely individual aspects of these types of behavioral problems. The Functional Idiographic Assessment Template (FIAT) manual allows the clinician to assess strengths and weaknesses within interpersonal relationships in the context of both the therapeutic relationship and those relationships clients have outside of therapy. The combination of a behavioral framework and an idiographic approach to analysis make this a unique assessment approach in the area of interpersonal relating. The FIAT system is organized around five main areas (called classes) of interpersonal functioning: (1) skills in identifying and asserting needs and values in relationships; (2) sensitivity to and responsiveness to receiving and providing feedback to others; (3) problems with specifying and expressing emotional and cognitive experiences; (4) difficulties with interpersonal closeness including disclosure; and (5) problems with interpersonal conflict. The FIAT manual includes an overview of how to use the manual, a description of how the assessment process is conducted, therapist assessment questions, and a paper-and-pencil client assessment called the FIAT-Questionnaire (FIAT-Q). Examples of clinician created idiographic assessment measures for both client and therapist are provided. The majority of the manual is devoted to definitions of each class of behavior and specific types of problems in the areas of contextual cues, discrimination, and response repertoire. In each area instances of behavioral problems are denoted and examples are provided for the clinician. The FIAT system captures specific interpersonal strengths and deficits so that a clinician can better tailor treatment to each client, leading to more efficient and effective amelioration of client problems. Key words: Functional assessment, behavioral assessment, idiographic, temp late, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, social skills, personality disorders, Acceptance Commitment Therapy ********** FIAT Manual Instructions and User Information Overview This manual is designed to be used in conjunction with Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP; Kohlenberg & Tsai, 1991) or FAP-enhanced treatments such as FAP Enhanced Cognitive Therapy (FECT; Kohlenberg, Kanter, Bolling, Parker, & Tsai, 2002) and FACT (Callaghan, Gregg, Marx, Kohlenberg, & Gifford, 2004). The FIAT manual specifies classes of behaviors seen in interpersonally focused interventions. These problems are based on the function of behaviors as they impact the client's ability to form effective interpersonal relationships. Some of these behaviors are experiential or intrapersonally focused; however, the impact of those behaviors ultimately resides in an interpersonal context. An example of the use of the FIAT can be seen in an article by Callaghan and colleagues on the treatment of a client with behaviors consistent with Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Callaghan, Summers, & Weidman, 2003). The template aspect of this manual resides with its use in creating idiographic assessment materials for each individual client. Examples of these assessments are included in the appendix of this manual. There is no one specific correct way to create these idiographic assessment devices; they should each be tailored the needs of the client, the therapist, and the on-going intervention. …

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