PAPELES DEL PSICÓLOGO Vol. 43-1 Enero - Abril 2022

contextual behavioral therapies (Kanter et al., 2010). A particular area in which FAP has gained support as a standalone intervention is interpersonal and social functioning. Some studies with Latinx populations have shown positive outcomes when implementing FAP for improving interpersonal repertoires. Esparza-Lizarazo et al. (2015) found FAP procedures reduced emotional dysregulation patterns in- and out-of-sessions in two women and one man in Colombia. In the same country, Rincón et al. (2021) implemented FAP with three Latino self-identified gay men who presented difficulties in intimacy-related behaviors, finding a large effect size in intimacy after finishing the intervention. In Spain, Ferro-García et al. (2021) used FAP for treating a wide variety of behavioral problems such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc., presented by 10 participants. They formulated cases using FAP interpersonal functional categories rather than using syndromal categories. In this study, FAP was associated with a reduction in behavioral problems as well as improvements in interpersonal functional classes. FAP emphasizes that therapeutic relationships are a model of healthy relationships (e.g., bidirectional, supportive, connected) by which this therapy results in a good fit for reducing interpersonal barriers in victims of IPV. There is not a standalone FAP intervention for IPV victims; however, Vaca-Ferrer et al. (2020) developed a group program with Hispanic victims of IPV that included procedures from various behavioral contextual therapies such as FAP, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and behavioral activation. In this study, initial sessions were focused on strengthening the therapeutic relationship through implementing FAP. In addition, they focused on promoting several effective interpersonal repertoires (CRB2s) such as involvement in protective behaviors, identification of indicators of violent behaviors within relationships, and participation in pleasant activities and relationships in the program. As a result, they found a reduction in distress and risk behaviors in IPV victims. In addition, participants enhanced closeness and openness with others. These are promising results on the utility of including FAP within treatments for Latinas’ victims of IPV. CULTURAL PRACTICES, CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE, AND FAP From a contextual behavioral perspective, cultural practices are constituted by group-shared behavioral patterns susceptible to be modified (Glenn, 2004). Particularly, Glenn (2004) specifies that macrocontingencies, a type of cultural practice, are the result of cumulative effects of individual behaviors and their consequences within a group. When individuals systematically interact with other groups who offer alternative patterns of behaviors, their old cultural practices can be altered, and learn new cultural rules. For instance, if IPV victims who hold machismo and marianismo cultural practices interact with others who promote equalitarian gender roles, it is likely that their macrocontingencies turn over and new cultural patterns emerge. FAP therapists’ emphasis on shaping and modeling a reciprocal therapeutic relationship with equalitarian gender roles makes this therapeutic approach a good fit for Latinas’ victims of IPV. In addition, FAP offers an alternative avenue to develop intimate behavioral patterns fundamental in establishing and maintaining reciprocal relationships. Intimacy refers to the interchange of vulnerable behaviors (responses punished in the past) within alternative contexts that offer validation, care, and understanding (Cordova & Scott, 2001). In the following section, a description of how FAP promotes key interpersonal repertoires that are at a low rate in Latinas due to IPV is presented. This therapy framework provides some ideas for therapists interested in helping clients seek help timely, stretch social support networks, and identify alternative cultural practices in relationships. FAP APPROACH TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE INTERPERSONAL BEHAVIORS IN LATINAS VICTIMS OF IPV A basic repertoire to establish relationships and maintain meaningful relationships is emotional communication. Cordova and Scott (2001) described how expressing vulnerable emotions and experiences is key to building up intimacy. Concealing emotional experiences associated with being a victim of IPV is common in Latinas, as well as shame and fear of rejection from family and friends which deteriorates social support (Blázquez-Alonso & Moreno-Manso, 2008). Thus, reducing the impact of emotional concealment is crucial to help victims to maintain strong and safe relationships. Difficulties expressing emotions would be the result of ongoing exposure to punishment and invalidation within the abusive relationship. Thus, creating a genuine, caring, and honest therapeutic relationship is the first step to promoting effective emotional communication. To do so, FAP therapists intentionally evoke emotional expression from their clients. In the case of victims of interpersonal violence every emotional expression would count, that is why asking for their experience, their deepest sense, or their sensations when storytelling would help evoke emotional expressions from the client. Once clients disclose emotions and feelings, therapists are encouraged to reinforce them in a natural supportive way (Callaghan, 2006). For instance, a client who left her partner after an episode of physical abuse may isolate from family so that they would not criticize her for leaving her partner (a cultural practice associated with familismo ). A therapist may ask for her feelings after making such a decision and acknowledge the meaning of sharing her shame and bravery for protecting herself. Interchanging emotional support and social reinforcement would likely strengthen the client’s emotional expressiveness and an intimate therapeutic relationship. Establishing and maintaining interpersonal limits is another repertoire often thwarted in Latinas’ victims of IPV. Interpersonal boundaries are tightly related to identifying and communicating needs and opinions. Often, history of abuse shapes ineffective communication patterns from victims. They learned to send confusing or unclear messages about what they want and need from relationships that result in difficulties from others to be attentive and responsive, perpetuating a loop of misunderstandings and indirect communication (Callaghan, 2006). In this case, FAP encourages therapists to identify those circumstances in which clients show indirect or unclear messages that may lead to difficulties in setting interpersonal boundaries within the therapeutic interaction. Natural opportunities can come up through therapy, for instance, when rescheduling a session, setting the agenda, or being late. Therapists are also encouraged to explicitly ask clients to make requests, describe their needs, and state their opinions regarding therapy and AMANDA M. MUÑOZ-MARTÍNEZ AND RENZO AGUILAR-CACHO 77 A r t i c l e s