How change occurs

The Foundations
Change occurs through the therapist uncovering deeper levels of client’s experiences. According to Nichols & Davis (2020), in order for change to occur in the family, three things must happen. First, every member of the family should be able to report completely and honestly on what they see, hear, feel and think about themselves and others, in front of others. Second, decisions should be made in terms of exploration and negotiation instead of power. Lastly, differences must be openly acknowledged and used for growth.

Breaking Barriers
To achieve breakthrough, the therapists must be provocative and warmly supportive in order for family members to drop their protective defenses and open up to one another. This ultimately allows them to become closer and more intimate with each other.

Maintaining Momentum
When working experientially, clients become encouraged to get  a sense of what is happening around them. According to Everett (2019) experiential therapy is about bringing the client back to a more accepting, allowing and whole experience of themselves. Through talking and acting out scenarios in their life, the client is able to determine the detail and specifics of the presenting issue they are currently facing. Once the client is able to articulate the current issue, there then is an easing of the issue, internal pressure can be released and the thought of addressing the issue becomes easier. This allows the patient to improve the relationship with themselves and use the energy that was once used for avoiding change to now be used for growth and change.

Continued
How Experiential Theory views problems