Lightning Moments: Recognizing and Facilitating Transformative Potential in Individual and Group Therapy
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Authors
Vossen, Elizabeth
Issue Date
2025-10-14
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
transformative change , second-order change , group therapy , ritual , ceremony
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone synthesizes research about transformative change processes, group therapy dynamics, and ritual and ceremonial elements to address how therapeutic practices may facilitate profound personal transformation rather than incremental change. Many clients seek fundamental life change but encounter approaches focused primarily on coping skills, creating a gap between client aspirations and available interventions. The research hypothesizes that integrating elements derived from traditional ceremony and ritual practices, including sacred space creation, collective witnessing, and seasonal rhythms, can enhance group therapy’s capacity to support second-order change rather than incremental change. Through a literature review an analysis of traditional practices including Indigenous talking circles and cross-cultural seasonal ceremonies, key facilitating factors for profound transformation are identified and synthesized into an evidence-based framework. The study culminates in a practical program design for transformative bereavement groups at a Vancouver-based bereavement organization, demonstrating how these elements can be therapeutically integrated. This work provides practitioners with tools to recognize and optimize transformative moments, expanding therapeutic options for clients seeking profound healing while bridging ancient ceremonial wisdom with contemporary group therapy practice.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess