Gerard Egan was born in the United States and pursued a career in psychology, eventually becoming Professor Emeritus of Organization Development and Psychology at Loyola University Chicago. His academic work focused on practical applications of psychology in counselling, leadership, and personal growth. His contributions to therapeutic work include SOLER and the The Skilled helper.
The Skilled Helper, Staged Approach and SOLER
Egan considered his methods to be more about prevention than cure. He believed the challenge for psychology was to get out of text books and into social settings. Egan also believed that clients were either in a troubled or crisis situation, or anxious because they are not as effective as they wanted to be.
Most of the counselling work that Egan did took place within a variety of organisations and institutions worldwide. He described this work as his fourfold approach; consultant, coach, counsellor and confidant.
He has written over a dozen books, some in the field of counselling, including (Amazon):
The Skilled Helper Model
Egan’s most notable contribution is his Skilled Helper Model, first introduced in his book The Skilled Helper in 1975. This model is a three-stage framework designed to help individuals navigate challenges and opportunities in their lives. The basics of the stages are:
- Exploration (Current Scenario) – Encouraging clients to tell their story, understand their situation, and identify key issues.
- Understanding (Preferred Scenario) – Helping clients envision a better future and explore possibilities for change.
- Action (Strategy Implementation) – Supporting clients in developing and executing plans to achieve their goals.
This model integrates elements from Carl Rogers’ person-centered approach and Robert Carkhuff’s empathy scale, making it a versatile and widely used counselling method. The Skilled Helper is currently one of the most widely used counselling texts in the world. Egan introduced the idea of a staged approach to helping along with SOLER.
The Staged Approach
First Stage: The present – where you are at now
- Encourage the client to tell their story (prompts, active listening, open questions, S.O.L.E.R).
- Helping the client break through any blind spots (use reflection).
- Supporting the client to find the right problem/opportunity to work on (prioritise).
Second Stage: Preferred – where you want to be
- Help the client use their imagination to spell out possibilities (question and explore their views).
- Supporting the client to chose realistic and challenging goals (action plan).
- Help the client to find incentives that will help with commitment (what they will get out of it).
Third Stage: Strategies – How are you going to get where you want to be?
- Helping the client find possible actions (timing).
- Supporting the client to find best fit strategies (what will work for the client).
- Help the client to draft an action plan.
The Book: The Skilled Helper
Part one: In the first Chapter of his book The Skilled Helper, Egan describes what helping is all about, including the positive and negative elements. He also addresses the issue of whether or not helping is for everyone.
In the second chapter we are introduced to the staged approach helping model, which Egan refers to as the Skilled Helper Model. The third chapter focuses on the value of respect, the culture of helping and the value of client empowerment, an important element of any counselling relationship.
Part two: (chapter four to six) describes the power of active listening, basic empathy techniques and the art of summarising.
Part three: (chapter seven to twelve) deals with helping the client to tell their story, reluctance and resistance from the client and how to successfully challenge.
Part four: (chapter thirteen to eighteen) focuses on discovering what the client really wants, and what they are willing to do to get there, and finishes by discussing strategies for achieving these goals.
I would recommend this book to anyone studying to be a counsellor, it is usually standard reading on counselling courses, or to experienced counsellors who are serious about taking their skills to the next level.
SOLER
Gerard Egan defined the acronym SOLER as part of his Skilled Helper staged approach to counselling. It is a non-verbal listening process used in communication, and a key skill taught to counsellors as part of their training. SOLER should be used as an integral part of active listening. But what is it?
SOLER stands for:
S: Sit SQUARELY on to the client, preferably at a 5 o’clock position to avoid the possibility of staring.
O: Maintain an OPEN posture at all times, not crossing your arms or legs which can appear defensive.
L: LEAN slightly in towards the client.
E: Maintain EYE CONTACT with the client without staring.
R: RELAX. This should in turn help the client to relax.
Influence and Legacy
Egan’s work has had a profound impact on counselling, coaching, and leadership development. His integrative approach bridges various psychological theories, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), transactional analysis, and motivational interviewing. His emphasis on active listening, empathy, and structured problem-solving has made his model a staple in counselling training programs worldwide.
Beyond counselling, Egan’s theories have influenced positive psychology, encouraging individuals to focus on strengths and opportunities rather than just problems. His work continues to be relevant in therapy, coaching, and organizational development.
Final Thoughts
Gerard Egan’s contributions to psychology and counselling have provided a practical, structured, and empathetic approach to helping others. His Skilled Helper Model remains a cornerstone in counselling education, empowering professionals to guide clients toward meaningful change.
What are your thoughts on Egan’s approach? Have you encountered his model in practice, or are you currently studying to be a counsellor?
Want to Take SOLER to the Next Level?
For more information, see my other posts:
A Therapists Guide to Egan Stage 2
Beyond SOLER: Advanced Non-Verbal Communication in Counselling
The Published Works of Gerard Egan.
Further Reading – (Amazon)
15 Rules To Strengthen Mind And Body
52 Weeks of Wellbeing: A No Nonsense Guide to a Fulfilling Work Life
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering
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Steven Lucas MBACP PNCPS (Accred) is a professional counselling psychotherapist working in Northamptonshire. Read Full Bio.
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Other Posts
If you found this page useful, you might also enjoy reading these posts:
Emotional Wellbeing: A Biblical Perspective
How To Start Addressing Relationship Difficulties
Being Positive In Difficult Times
How Can I Get A Better Night’s Sleep?
How Can I Improve My Self Esteem?
Being Assertive And Managing Boundaries
Coping With Symptoms Of Stress, Anxiety And Low Mood
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Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor so this guide should not be considered a replacement for seeking medical advice. It is also not a substitute for obtaining therapy as other factors, such as trauma, need to be considered.
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As a child I was told not to cry and toughen up. Yet crying is a natural release valve. My emotions were surpressed and it led to anger etc.
I think that it takes a while to determine just how messed-up our thinking has really become from using drugs and alcohol and ignoring the way we feel, and suppressing our emotions. Our disconnect from self for decades has caused a disconnect from reality. We process things differently than normally developed people do, so when we do experience a cognitive distortion, we need to accept the fact that we can’t always trust our conclusions.