Symbolic-experiential family therapy focuses on here-and-now experiences, playfulness, humor, intuition, craziness, spontaneity, and personal growth. Carl A. Whitaker described the development of the symbolic-experiential model as a personal pattern of growth. Symbolic-experiential family therapy uses personal growth and symbolic experiences. The main focus of symbolic-experiential family therapy is on the power of experiencing emotions, feelings, and the symbolic world in which we all live. This experience allows for personal growth of the clients and the therapist. With symbolic-experiential family therapy, knowledge of the theory and interventions are necessary, but they come alive only when filtered through the therapist. The role of the therapist tends to change throughout the stages of therapy. The symbolic-experiential family therapy model is suited to families with many relational and traumatic situations, because it allows each family member to reveal deep emotions and indulge in deep conversations that otherwise may not occur.