A Functional Analytic Approach to Group Psychotherapy

This article provides a particular view on the use of Functional Analytical Psychotherapy (FAP) in a group therapy format. This view is based on the author’s experiences as a supervisor of Functional Analytical Psychotherapy Groups, including groups for wo men with depression and groups for chronic pain patients. The contexts in which this approach emerged are presented. With the help of the terms technique and tactic, an attempt is made to pinpoint how exactly the tasks of the therapist in conducting FAP are put into practice in the group. During the explanation of these ideas, a series of examples of how FAP can work in the group setting are given. These contributions are aimed at stimulating divergent thinking about, and experimentation with, FAP in group settings.