ABSTRACT
The experiencing of physiological cues such as body posture and facial expression help to facilitate an externalization of Parent ego state feelings, attitudes, and experience. This is being mom, not merely playing a role, and what may emerge is often a surprise to the client. It is important to help the client stay in the Parent ego state. When the client has an opportunity to respond to the Parent ego state a cycle of interpersonal agency and efficacy is established that may have been ruptured or perhaps never existed. This allows for the Child ego state to define himself and to make an impact—self-expressions that may have been inhibited or prohibited in the original relationship with the parent. To make an impact within a relationship and to define oneself within a relationship are two essential relational needs.
