Pivotal moments of change in Relational Family Therapy

Abstract

The subject of the article is the study of pivotal moments in psychotherapy, defined as moments within the therapeutic process that trigger lasting change. The research is a case study of 10 participants involved in therapy based on the Relational Family Therapy (RFT) approach, exploring pivotal moments of therapeutic change, their existence, characteristics, conditions for their emergence, and the changes that follow these moments. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analysed using grounded theory. The results indicate that clients in RFT can identify one or more pivotal moments of therapeutic change, and that these moments may arise both within or beyond the therapeutic process. A sense of safety, the therapist’s acceptance of the client, and the client’s internal decision to change are significant factors in the emergence of these moments. As a consequence of pivotal moments, changes occur in many areas of the client’s life. The findings are consistent with previous research and theoretical foundations, while also providing important new insights into psychotherapeutic treatment based on the RFT model.