2023 Robert J. Kohlenberg Research Award Grant

2023 ACBS Foundation Robert J. Kohlenberg Research Award Grant Recipient: Sara Robayo

Sara Robayo, MS in Clinical Psychology at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia, and research team Yors Garcia (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana), Amanda Muñoz-Martinez (Universidad de los Andes), and Matthew Skinta (Roosevelt University) are proud to be the recipients of the 2023 ACBS Robert J. Kohlenberg Research Grant to complete a research project on evaluating the Effect of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy in Intimacy and Minority Stress in Trans and Gender non-conforming people.
 
The main goal of this research project is using functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP) to improve intimacy repertories and stress minority levels in trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people living in Colombia (South America). In this country TGNC individuals are at greater risk of severe mental issues compared to cisgender counterpart, not to mention the limited access they have to evidence-based interventions that may help them with their specific needs. One of the most common difficulties reported by these individuals and observed in psychotherapeutic sessions is the lack of intimacy repertoires. These repertoires are important to develop close and significant relationships with significant ones. In addition, TGNC people have difficulties coping with minority stress, which consist of high levels of stress faced by members of stigmatized minority groups. Therefore, this research grant will be used to evaluate the impact of FAP in developing intimacy repertoires in TGNC people as well as teaching them alternative repertoires to effectively face minority stressors. We hope this study opens a new line of research and moves forward the legacy left by Robert Kohlenberg.

Final Report:

Outputs and Deliverables:

Based on the results of this research project, two articles were written. 

The first article examines the therapeutic interaction and participants’ intimacy in-session behaviors and the pre-, post-, and follow-up measures of intimacy repertoires out-of-session, minority stress levels and interpersonal difficulties reported by these TGNC participants. This article is currently under development. 

The second article entitled “Using Functional Analytic Psychotherapy to Address Interpersonal Difficulties with a Neurodiverse, Non-Binary Client” examined the implementation of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, to address relational difficulties in a 33-year-old, non-binary autistic individual with interpersonal difficulties. 

This paper was submitted to Clinical Case Studies (CCS) https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ccs on July 26, 2025 (Appendix B)

OSF. https://osf.io/7twrm/?view_only=a93917905cbf4f5696fb5de761ca9efa 

Impact and benefits to the researchers, CBS, and society at large:

This project provides empirical evidence of the utility of FAP in addressing intimacy and minority stress in TGNC individuals, —population that face ongoing prejudice across multiple contexts and have limited access to empirically supported, affirmative psychological interventions tailored to their specific needs. 

The first article illustrates the importance of integrating FAP principles with a culturally humble and affirmative framework to foster TGNC clients’ in- and out-of-session intimacy-seeking behaviors, while addressing behaviors that block interpersonal intimacy. Findings regarding therapeutic interaction and out-of-session intimacy repertoires shed light regarding FAP’ change mechanisms in minoritized populations, as well as idiographic aspects -such as intersecting identities- that may influence the generalization of their therapeutic gains. 

The second study highlights FAP’s potential as an affirming and effective intervention for individuals navigating intersectional identities, particularly neuro- and gender diverse clients by providing a supportive space to tackle relational challenges and compounded social stressors. These findings emphasize the flexibility of FAP's principles in adjusting the therapeutic objectives by considering the client’s developmental and relational history. This article also offers recommendations for clinical practice aimed at promoting contextual interpretation of interfering behaviors exhibited by individuals from minoritized populations in the development of a therapeutic relationship— behaviors shaped by ongoing interaction with a context that continuously discriminates against them. Likewise, it encourages clinicians to make use of therapeutic rules to examine their own biases and how these may impact their work with these marginalized populations.

Both studies underscore the importance of using therapeutic interventions such as FAP in addressing TGNC clients’ interpersonal difficulties and fostering alternative interpersonal behaviors that enhance their ability to build high-quality relationships -a protective factor for their physical and mental health. Both studies also pose future research directions in addressing aspects that may influence generalization of their therapeutic gains such as clients’ intersecting identities. 

Click here to read more about the ACBS Foundation's Robert J. Kohlenberg Research Fund.