The Fennell Four-Phase Treatment (FFPT)™

Patricia Fennell is the published author of the Fennell Four Phase Treatment (FFPT)™ approach to assessment and treatment for chronic syndromes and trauma. Fennell's Four-Phase Model is an empirically-validated framework utilized by clinicians, medical researchers and patients in the United States and abroad. The Fennell Phase Inventory (FPI)™ is a survey instrument developed to capture the different phases of chronic syndromes.

Research supports the concept that four phases of adaptation occur in specific chronic illnesses, i.e., that patients navigate a predictable passage on their way to defining a new self and a new life. The Fennell Four-Phase Treatment (FFPT)™ provides a framework for understanding this critical process, as did Kubler-Ross's work regarding stages of death and dying.

• In Phase 1, Crisis, the individual moves from onset of illness, which may be specifically detectable or may happen gradually, to an emergency period when the patient knows that something is seriously wrong. The task of the individual, caregivers, and clinicians during this phase is to cope with urgency and trauma.
• In Phase 2, Stabilization, the individual discovers that he or she fails, sometimes repeatedly, to return to normal regardless of interventions or behavior. The task in this phase is to initiate stabilization and life restructuring.
• In Phase 3, Resolution, the individual recognizes deeply that his or her old life will never return. Early in this phase, most experience profound existential despair. The task of this phase is to begin establishing an authentic new self and start developing a supportive, meaningful philosophy.
• In Phase 4, Integration, the individual defines a new self in which illness may be an important factor, but it is not he only or even the primary one in his or her life. Integration of the illness into a meaningful life is the goal the individual seeks.

Within each phase, the model addresses three domains: the physical/behavioral, the psychological, and the social/interactive. The experience of chronic illness does not remain the same over time. The physical, emotional, and social needs of a patient in the early stages of the chronic illness experience can be considerably different from the needs of the patient who has been ill for several years.

The Fennell Four-Phase Treatment (FFPT)™ can help clinicians treat patients more effectively and can greatly reduce practitioner frustration.

Relevant Publications:

• Fennell, P.A. Managing Chronic Illness: The Four Phase Approach. John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York, NY (2003)
• Fennell, P.A. The Chronic Illness Workbook. New Harbinger Press, Oakland, CA (2001)
• Fennell, P.A., Jason, LA, Klein, S.M., (1998). Capturing the different phases of the CFS illness. The CFIDS Chronicle, 11)3: 13-16
• Jason, L.A., Fricano,. G., Taylor, R.R., Halpert, J., and Fennell, P.A., Klein, S., Levine, S. (2000). Chronic fatigue syndrome: an examination of the phases. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(12):1497-1508
• Jason, LA and Fennell, P.A., Klein, S., Fricano, G., Halpert, J., Taylor, RR, (1999). An investigation of the different phases of the CFS illness. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 5(3/4); 25-53
• Van Hoof, E., Coomans, D., Cluydts, R. Association Between Fennell Phase Inventory Scores and Immune and RNase - L Parameters in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 2005;12(2): in press.
• Van Hoof, E., Coomans, D., Cluydts, R., De Meirleir, K. The Fennell Phase Inventory in a Belgian Sample. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 2004;12(1):53-69.