A FAP intervention: Therapeutic Love for noticing clinically relevant behavior in the live therapeutic relationship and shaping more open, flexible and effective interpersonal behavior.
Step-by-step guide
- Hold the client's outside-life pattern in mind while attending to the present interaction.
- Notice the in-session behavior and ask what function it serves right now.
- Respond genuinely and with care, without turning the moment into a lecture.
- Reinforce any small CRB2 shift immediately and specifically.
- Link the in-session shift to one relationship outside therapy.
When to use
- When an interpersonal pattern appears in the room.
- When the client understands the issue intellectually but repeats it relationally.
- When the therapeutic relationship can safely become the change context.
Key phrases
What is happening between us right now?
Follow-up questions
I want to respond to what just happened, because it seems important.
If you can do this here, where else might it matter?
Alternative phrasings
Let us use Therapeutic Love to make this pattern more workable.
What would be a small, reviewable step before next session?
Warnings
- ⚠️ Do not use authenticity to meet the therapist's own needs.
- ⚠️ Do not confront without enough safety and warmth.
- ⚠️ Do not confuse the form of behavior with its interpersonal function.
Source: Tsai et al. 2012; Tsai et al. 2017
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.