The phenomenon of quantum change.
Journal of clinical psychology May 1, 2004 William R Miller 274 citations
Quantum change describes sudden, dramatic, and enduring transformations that alter a person's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors across many areas of life. This phenomenon has been recognized since the early days of psychology, especially in William James's work on religious experience. Such changes can happen during psychotherapy but more often occur outside of it, and they share common features in how they unfold and what they involve. This introduction outlines the essential characteristics of quantum change, including two qualitative subtypes, what triggers it, its progression, and the lasting effects that follow.