Using Functional Analytic Psychotherapy to Address Interpersonal Difficulties With a Neurodiverse, Non-Binary Client.

This case study focuses on the application of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), an interpersonal contextual behavior therapy, to address relational difficulties in a 33-year-old non-binary adult with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intersecting minority stressors related to neurodiversity and gender diversity. The client exhibited identity concealment, avoidance of vulnerability, and ambivalence toward neurodevelopmental assessment, which FAP targeted by reinforcing in-session behaviors promoting openness, intimacy, and authenticity while reducing avoidance. Over eight sessions, the client showed improvements in emotional expression, social connection, and reductions in identity concealment and internalized stigma, culminating in a formal autism diagnosis that validated their experiences. The study highlights FAP's potential as a culturally responsive intervention that integrates behavioral precision with sensitivity to the lived experiences of neurodiverse and gender-diverse individuals, emphasizing the importance of idiographic, affirming approaches in clinical work with marginalized populations.