Reducing Inadvertent Clinical Errors - Guidelines From Functional Analytic Psychotherapy

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Psychotherapy © 2016 American Psychological Association

2016, Vol. 53, No. 3, 331–335 0033-3204/16/$12.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pst0000065

Reducing Inadvertent Clinical Errors: Guidelines From Functional


Analytic Psychotherapy

Mavis Tsai Tien Mandell


University of Washington University of Glasgow

Daniel Maitland, Jonathan Kanter, and Robert J. Kohlenberg


University of Washington
This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.

Two common types of clinical errors, inadvertently reinforcing client problem behaviors or inadvertently
This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.

punishing client improvements, are conceptualized from the viewpoint of Functional Analytic Psycho-
therapy (FAP), a treatment that harnesses the power of the therapeutic relationship. Understanding the
functions of client behaviors such as incessant talking and over compliance can lead to more compas-
sionate and effective intervention, and a functional analysis of seemingly problematic behaviors such as
silence and lack of cooperation indicate how they may be client improvements. Suggestions are provided
for how to more accurately conceptualize whether client behaviors are problems or improvements, and
to increase awareness of therapist vulnerabilities that can lead to errors. While FAP is rooted in a
functional contextual philosophy, the goal of this article is to offer a framework that crosses theoretical
boundaries to decrease the likelihood of clinical errors and to facilitate client growth.

Keywords: Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, awareness, therapeutic relationship, functional analysis,


clinical errors

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), a behavioral ap- with the therapist and are expected to decrease during the
proach based on empirically supported principles, harnesses the course of therapy. CRB2s are client improvements that occur in
power of the therapeutic relationship and maximizes the genuine- session. While FAP is rooted in a functional contextual philos-
ness, intensity, compassion, and effectiveness of the therapist. FAP ophy, our goal in this paper is to offer a framework that enables
therapists view each client as a microculture with complex life therapists, regardless of theoretical orientation, to decrease the
stories of joy and anguish, dreams and hopes, passions and vul- likelihood of making clinical errors.
nerabilities, and unique gifts and abilities, carrying deeply rooted Consistent with the contextual nature of FAP, CRB1s and
cultural, social, and generational experiences in their reinforce- CRB2s are functionally defined. That is, a CRB1 for one client,
ment histories (Kohlenberg & Tsai, 1991; Tsai, Callaghan, & given their history and case conceptualization, might be a CRB2
Kohlenberg, 2013; Tsai, Kohlenberg, Kanter, Holman, & Plummer
for another. For example, refusing to follow therapist suggestions
Loudon, 2012; Tsai et al., 2009).
in one case might be a CRB1 (not being open to feedback), and in
At the core of FAP is its hypothesized mechanism of clinical
another case might be a CRB2 (being assertive in expressing one’s
change— contingent therapist responding to client problems
needs). It is precisely the contextual nature of CRB1s and CRB2s
and improvements as they occur here and now in session. In
other words, rather than talking about daily life problems that that can lead to therapist error of inadvertently reinforcing prob-
occur elsewhere, FAP focuses on how these problems show up lematic behaviors and punishing improvements.
in the therapy relationship. Client responses occurring within In accordance with ongoing assessment and case conceptualiza-
the therapist– client relationship that correspond to those occur- tion, FAP entails implementing five therapeutic rules that empha-
ring in their daily lives are of particular relevance and are size clients’ CRBs. These “rules” are suggestions for therapist
referred to as clinically relevant behaviors (CRBs). CRB1s are behavior that typically lead to clinical improvement by highlight-
the client’s daily life problem behaviors that occur in session ing therapeutic opportunities that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Very briefly, they involve: (a) being aware of clients’ CRBs, (b)
evoking CRBs, (c) reinforcing improvements, (d) being aware of
the impact of our interventions, and (e) using behavioral interpre-
Mavis Tsai, Department of Psychology, University of Washington; Tien tations to help clients generalize changes to daily life. A discussion
Mandell, College of Life Sciences, University of Glasgow; Daniel Mait- of all five rules is beyond the scope of this article; instead we will
land, Jonathan Kanter, and Robert J. Kohlenberg, Department of Psychol- focus the importance of being aware of CRBs because a more
ogy, University of Washington.
accurate assessment of CRB1s and CRB2s can decrease the like-
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Mavis
Tsai, Department of Psychology, 351525, Center for the Science of Social lihood of two specific types of clinical errors that are the focus of
Connection, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. E-mail: this paper: when therapists inadvertently reinforce CRB1s or pun-
mavist@gmail.com ish CRB2s.

331
332 TSAI, MANDELL, MAITLAND, KANTER, AND KOHLENBERG

Examples of Inadvertently Reinforcing a Problematic could not sustain long-term relationships. Therapy seemed like it
Behavior or CRB1 was going really well—the client was open, vulnerable, gracious,
and appreciative, and the connection seemed particularly strong.
As clinicians and supervisors, a problem that we either fre- On the FAP session bridging form, (given to clients after every
quently encounter or a struggle that our supervisees often raise session asking them to rate session effectiveness, connection to
regarding their clients is that of incessant talking. A less obvious therapist, and other similar variables on a scale from 1 to 10; Tsai
problem for us to catch, but one that has negative consequences for et al., 2009), this client always rated everything a “10,” and never
clients if we fail to notice it, is that of overly compliant behavior. had any requests or criticisms. After 3 months of what seemed like
The possible functions of each of these problems and ways to an ideal client–therapist relationship, M.T. realized that she had
address them will be discussed in turn. All clinical examples been lulled into thinking everything was going really well and did
discussed have de-identified clients to maintain confidentiality, not question that his being a “good client” who was meticulously
and are composites of several clients, rather than specific interac- compliant might be problematic. Thus, M.T. inadvertently had
tions that have occurred. been reinforcing her client’s CRB1s of overly compliant behavior.
This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.

M.T. belatedly asked if it was a pattern in his relationships to be


This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.

Incessant Talking accommodating and sweet to create a stronger bond, but eventually
he would feel resentful and unseen, and then would leave the
Many clients will sit down and start talking about something relationship. He acknowledged this was happening, and she said to
that is bothering them for almost the entire session, without giving him, Will you please tell me what’s hard for you to say, what might
their therapists a chance for input. These clients lack awareness not be working for you in our therapy? When you’re both appre-
that they are monopolizing the interaction, and it is likely that they ciative of my efforts AND candid with me about what’s not work-
do this with others as well. A mistake that the authors have made ing, it increases the genuineness of our connection. He stated that
when clients speak at length is to listen compassionately, nodding he was drinking too much and was hiding it from her because he
our heads and not interrupting. While this type of empathic listen- feared possible negative judgment. This led to him getting the help
ing may have facilitated a therapeutic alliance in initial sessions, that he really needed, along with the realization that this type of
over time we felt frustrated that these clients were not changing transparency about his struggles and needs is what would make his
and that they seemed to use talking as a way to avoid their feelings. outside life relationships more sustainable.
To resolve the quandary, we have explored the possible functions
of incessant talking by asking, You seem to feel pressured to tell
me a lot of details—what are the unspoken needs underneath what
Examples of Inadvertently Punishing an Improvement
you’re saying? Depending on their histories, clients have reported Behavior or CRB2
different motivations, including: needing to be understood and When clients are developing new behaviors, they can be clumsy
thinking that talking and explaining more will get across their or off putting, and it can be easy for a therapist to miss that an
point, the pressure release that comes with describing something in improvement is occurring. An important therapeutic skill is to
detail, or taking up all the time in order not to get aversive increase awareness of and to shape and reinforce the CRB2s that
feedback. It seems that underlying this verbosity is a common need are inherent in the clients’ CRB1s. To illustrate this concept, we
to connect more with oneself and the other, and to be seen and will discuss client silence, which is on the opposite end of the
understood. Yet, they are more likely to push others away and less spectrum from incessant talking, and uncooperative behavior,
likely to get what they need when they are not aware of the impact which sometimes may be a CRB2 in clients who are not assertive.
of their talking on others. Thus, when therapists just listen com-
passionately without exploring or confronting this behavior, they
may be perpetuating or inadvertently reinforcing a CRB1. Silence
A therapist’s responses to a client’s problem behavior must be When asked What would you like to talk about or What are you
sensitive to the client’s current skill level. To accomplish this, feeling?, some clients will shrug and stay silent or say I don’t
therapists can notice and disclose their own reactions (thoughts, know. M.T. had a client who sought treatment for anxiety, depres-
emotions, physiological responses) and respond to CRB1s in a sion, and conflict with his male partner because he (the client)
caring way. For example, we have had positive responses to a would not talk about his feelings. He would sit in silence for many
statement like this, I know you are having a really tough time with minutes at the beginning of sessions. This was a typical interaction
this situation, and that you want to tell me every detail so that I in the beginning sessions of therapy:
really get what you are feeling. When you talk in paragraphs and
pages, though, it can actually obscure the essence of what you are Therapist: What’s important for you to talk about today?
wanting me or others to understand. Can you summarize in one
Client: [silence for about two minutes] I do not know.
sentence what you are feeling about what happened?
Therapist: What thoughts are running through your mind?
Overly Compliant Behavior Client: I do not know.
We all have had clients who are wonderful to work with—they Therapist: What are you trying to tell me with “I do not
are always on time, pay their fees promptly, talk about their know?”
deepest feelings, and do their homework diligently. The first
author (M.T.) had a client like this who sought help because he Client: [silence]
REDUCING INADVERTENT CLINICAL ERRORS 333

Therapist: I do not know how to help you when you do not about if you practice assertion skills in a roleplay
talk to me. [This statement was a mistake in that with me? I would play the role of your husband,
the client probably detected the exasperation un- you would express something you feel or want,
derlying it, and clammed up even more as a and then I can coach you as needed.
result].
Client: I’m sorry, I’m uncomfortable with role playing. It
Client: [long silence] feels kind of silly.
Although M.T. experienced her client’s silence as a CRB1 and Therapist: Maybe this is too big a step, let’s go down lower
was frustrated at her inability to draw him out, she worked on in the hierarchy and come up with an easier
seeing what CRB2s were there in the CRB1s: situation that we can roleplay.
Therapist: I get that it’s a big deal for you to even show up In this case, the therapist made a mistake because not only was
for therapy with me, and I appreciate how you he not aware of a CRB2—the client’s assertiveness in saying no to
This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.

come consistently even though it’s so hard for his request, but even worse, probably punished it by persisting in
This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.

you. I’m wondering if your silence is because you doing a roleplay. After consultation, this is what he said instead:
do not quite have the words to capture what you
are feeling? Therapist: I want to apologize for pushing a roleplay on you
last week. We absolutely do not have to do any-
Client: Yeah. thing that makes you feel uncomfortable. That
was actually quite assertive on your part to tell
Therapist: Would it helpful if I tried to express what I think
me you didn’t want to do the roleplay. Let’s talk
you might be feeling based on what you wrote in
more about how you were able to stand up for
your client data form, and you can tell me “yes”
yourself in this way, what it felt like for you, and
or “no” and correct me if I’m off?
how you can assert yourself similarly with your
Client: Yeah. husband. How does that sound?

Therapist: You wrote in your form that you felt emotionally Client: That sounds good. I was really anxious telling
invaded by your mom, and that you gained con- you that I didn’t feel comfortable doing a role-
trol by upsetting her with your silence. Do you play, and it’s really helpful that you can see I was
think you might be trying to maintain a sense of actually being assertive with you rather than be-
control with me here? ing a bad client.

Client: Yeah.
Empirical Support for FAP Mechanism of
Therapist: What can we do differently so that you can feel Change—Reinforcement of CRB2s
more control in our relationship?
While converging lines of evidence support FAP’s basic prin-
Client: I think I can process better if I do not have to look ciples (Baruch et al., 2009), reviews of FAP publications point to
at you. Is it ok if I turn my chair so that my back a growing number of empirical investigations (García, 2008;
is to you? Mangabeira, Kanter, & Del Prette, 2012), including specific sup-
port for the notion that awareness and reinforcement of CRB2s are
Therapist: Yes, of course.
beneficial (Gifford et al., 2011; Holman, Kohlenberg, & Tsai,
Client: [shifts his chair]. This is better. Will you help me 2012; Holman et al., 2012; Kanter, Schildcrout, & Kohlenberg,
with feeling words by giving me choices that I can 2005; Kanter, Tsai, Holman, & Koerner, 2013; Kohlenberg,
pick from? Kanter, Bolling, Parker, & Tsai, 2002; Maitland & Gaynor, 2016;
Maitland et al., in press).
From this point forward, M.T. was able to shape more emotional
In addition to studies indicating the general effectiveness of
expression from this client, who was then able to generalize his
FAP, research focusing on the proposed mechanism of action—
progress by asking his more verbal partner for help with feeling
effective contingent responding by therapists to client problems
words, and by negotiating how he could feel more control in the
and improved behaviors as they occur in the session—is particu-
relationship.
larly relevant to our discussion highlighting the importance of
accurately naturally reinforcing CRB2s and gently blocking
Uncooperative Behavior CRB1s. This line of research mainly has used single subject design
or small N studies, and results have shown the benefits of in vivo
In another example of inadvertently punishing a CRB2, a ther-
focus and contingent responding that increase CRB2s and decrease
apist consulted with the fifth author (R.J.K.) about a case in which
in CRB1s (Busch et al., 2009; Callaghan, Summers, & Weidman,
his client was depressed. A primary source of her dysphoric mood
2003; Lizarazo, Munoz-Martinez, Santos, & Kanter, 2015; Kanter
seemed to be her lack of assertiveness in addressing her needs with
et al., 2006; Landes, Kanter, Weeks, & Busch, 2013; Maitland &
her husband. The following exchange took place:
Gaynor, 2016). Additional support for the proposition that thera-
Therapist: Since a cause of your depression is not saying pist contingent responding increases the frequency of targeted
directly to your husband what you want, how behavior come from laboratory-based studies where contingent
334 TSAI, MANDELL, MAITLAND, KANTER, AND KOHLENBERG

responding by trained research assistants promoted increased feel- __ Sense of burnout


ings of connectedness in participants and also improved the depth __ Lack of self-care
of disclosure (Haworth et al., 2015). __ Conditioned care-taking of others
__ Other (Please describe):
Implications for Recommendations for Reducing 2. What do you tend to avoid addressing with your clients?
3. How does this avoidance impact the work that you do with
Clinical Errors
these clients?
Therapists can decrease clinical errors by accurately conceptu- 4. What do you tend to avoid dealing with in your life (e.g.,
alizing their clients’ CRB1s and CRB2s and by increasing aware- tasks, people, memories, needs, feelings)?
ness of their own problem behaviors and target behaviors as 5. How do your daily life avoidances impact the work that you
clinicians. do with your clients?
In sum, by increasing awareness as to what constitutes problem
Accurately Conceptualizing Clients’ CRB1s and target behaviors in both our clients and ourselves, we can
This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.

and CRB2s decrease the likelihood of inadvertently reinforcing client prob-


This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.

lems, or punishing client improvements. We hope this framework


Therapists more accurately can identify their clients’ CRB1s can cross theoretical boundaries to facilitate the impact of the
and CRB2s to avoid reinforcing problems and punishing improve- therapeutic relationship.
ments by attending to: (a) the antecedents, consequences, and
historical contexts that have shaped their clients’ behavior and References
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REDUCING INADVERTENT CLINICAL ERRORS 335

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This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.

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0122-7 Accepted April 21, 2016 䡲

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