Egan’s Developmental Model Overview

Gerard Egan’s Developmental Model, known as the Skilled Helper Model, offers a practical
and empowering framework for counseling. The model aims to help clients move from
feeling stuck or overwhelmed to becoming active problem-solvers who take charge of their
own growth. Rooted in humanistic principles, the model respects the client’s capacity for
change and supports them in exploring their current reality, identifying goals, and
developing strategies to achieve those goals (Egan, 2010).

Developed by Gerard Egan (2014), the model empowers clients to explore their situations,
identify challenges, and take action towards meaningful change. It unfolds over three
progressive stages: Exploration, Understanding, and Action, with each stage fostering
deeper self-awareness and practical strategies for the client.

The essence of Egan’s approach lies in creating a collaborative partnership between the
counselor and client. Unlike directive models where the counselor acts as an "expert," Egan’s
model encourages the counselor to act as a facilitator — someone who supports the client’s
self-discovery and decision-making. This approach reflects the influence of Carl Rogers’
Person-Centered Therapy, emphasizing empathy, genuineness, and unconditional
positive regard (Rogers, 1951). However, Egan builds on this by incorporating solution-
focused and cognitive-behavioral elements, ensuring the client not only gains insight but
also takes action to improve their situation.

The model’s strength lies in its collaborative nature — counselors act as facilitators rather
than problem-solvers. They guide clients to recognize their strengths, challenge blind
spots, and develop practical solutions. This partnership approach fosters autonomy and
self-efficacy (Bandura, 1997), enabling clients to become their own “skilled helpers” over
time.
Resistance is another crucial aspect Egan addresses — particularly during Stage 1, when
clients may resist exploring uncomfortable truths. Resistance is often a protective response
rooted in fear or emotional pain. Egan encourages counselors to meet resistance with
empathy rather than confrontation, helping clients feel safe enough to explore their
vulnerabilities. For example, if a client dismisses discussing their failing relationship, a
counselor might gently say, “It sounds like this is a really difficult area to talk about. Let’s
take it at your pace — when you feel ready, we can unpack what’s going on.” This
compassionate approach maintains the client’s engagement while respecting their emotional
boundaries.

The model unfolds across three interconnected stages, designed to help the client progress
from understanding their current problems to developing a vision of what they want and
formulating a realistic plan to get there. While presented in stages, the process isn’t rigid
or linear. Counselors often revisit earlier stages based on the client’s evolving needs and
insights.

Stage 1: Exploring the Current Scenario focuses on helping the client make sense of their
present situation. Many clients enter counseling feeling tangled in confusion, unable to fully
articulate what’s wrong. The counselor begins by creating a safe, compassionate space,
encouraging the client to express their thoughts and feelings freely. This stage involves active
listening, reflective responses, and empathetic questioning, allowing the client to tell their
story in a way that uncovers the deeper emotional layers they may not have acknowledged
before (Egan, 2010).

A key part of this stage involves identifying blind spots — areas the client may not see
clearly. These could be self-defeating behaviors, false assumptions, or hidden fears that
contribute to their problems. The counselor gently challenges these blind spots, not to
confront the client harshly, but to illuminate perspectives they may not have considered.
Once the story and blind spots are clearer, the counselor helps the client identify leverage
points — the most powerful, high-impact issues to focus on. This ensures the client doesn’t
feel overwhelmed by trying to fix everything at once.

For instance, imagine a client who feels trapped in an unfulfilling job. Initially, they describe
their boss as the problem, blaming poor leadership for their misery. As the conversation
unfolds, the counselor helps the client uncover a blind spot — the realization that they’ve
been avoiding taking on new projects or seeking promotions out of fear of failure. The
leverage point becomes clear: addressing this fear may open new doors, rather than simply
hoping the boss’s behavior changes.

The counselor might guide this reflection with questions like:

"It sounds like your boss’s behavior has been a major source of stress. But I’m curious — is
there anything within your control that could change how you experience this job?"

The client, after some thought, might reply:

"I guess I’ve stopped putting myself out there because I’m afraid of messing up. Maybe I’ve
been holding myself back more than I realized."
This realization shifts the focus from external blame to internal empowerment, setting the
stage for meaningful change.

Stage 2: Building a Preferred Scenario transitions from understanding the present to

envisioning a more satisfying future. Many clients know what they want to escape but
struggle to define what they want to create. In this stage, the counselor helps the client
articulate a clear, motivating vision of what they want their life to look like — not in
vague, wishful terms, but in concrete, emotionally compelling detail.

For example, a client stuck in a draining relationship might initially say, "I just want to be
happy." The counselor helps them dive deeper: "If you were happy in this relationship, what
would that look like? How would you feel? What would be different?" This shifts the client’s
focus from escaping pain to pursuing joy, which is a far more motivating force.

The client might then say: "I’d feel respected and heard. I’d feel like we’re a team again —
supporting each other instead of arguing all the time."

The counselor reinforces this vision, helping the client clarify not only what they want but
also why it matters, strengthening their emotional investment in the change process.

Stage 3: Developing the Way Forward focuses on turning insight into action. Now that
the client has a clearer sense of where they want to go, the counselor helps them brainstorm
practical strategies, evaluate options, and commit to a plan. This stage emphasizes small,
achievable steps to build momentum, rather than overwhelming the client with a massive,
unrealistic goal.

For instance, if a client envisions a healthier work-life balance but fears disappointing their
boss, the counselor helps them break the goal down: “What’s one small boundary you
could set this week — something manageable but meaningful?” The client might decide
to start by leaving work on time twice a week. The counselor supports this, helping the
client anticipate potential obstacles — like guilt or pushback — and build resilience
strategies to stay on track.

Throughout the process, the counselor remains empathetic yet proactive, ensuring the client
stays empowered, not dependent. Egan’s model ultimately fosters self-efficacy — the belief
that “I am capable of creating positive change in my own life” (Bandura, 1997). This
sense of ownership is what fuels lasting transformation.