Development Through the Lifespan
In brief form explain why knowledge of human development over the lifespan is important for counsellors to be aware of.
Learning about human growth and development signalled, to me, the importance of assessing and considering developmental goals when working with both children and adults. Life-span development theories provide a useful place to start when offering emotional support as a Counsellor. Understanding an individual 's previous stages of development and environment can give the Counselor and Client a common place from which to begin the counselling process. Essentially, the life-span development approach addresses the basic ‘nature vs nurture’ debate by allowing for both. Just as our physicals selves are determined by both genetics and lifestyle, so are our emotional selves. Considering cognitive, biological, and socio-emotional development throughout life will provide context, guideposts, and reasonable expectations for Counsellors. Knowledge of human development over a lifespan is important for counselors to be aware of because it allows them to identify natural stages and cycles that individuals will commonly go through in their lifetime. This can help counsellors to identify what is normal and what is abnormal. Being aware of these abnormalities/normalities could save the counsellor a great of time in the assessment and interview process, the formulation of treatment goals and could ultimately change the treatment plan. As a Professional Counsellor, I plan to consider life-span development to specialize in counselling a specific type of person with hopes of becoming well-versed, and therefore more helpful, in the types of experiences that group faces. "Personality can be better understood if it is examined developmentally" (Santrock, 2006, p. 45).
Give two short examples of how developmental knowledge would help a counsellor deal with two specific types of adult issues.
A client comes to me for stress related symptoms and during the
Learning about human growth and development signalled, to me, the importance of assessing and considering developmental goals when working with both children and adults. Life-span development theories provide a useful place to start when offering emotional support as a Counsellor. Understanding an individual 's previous stages of development and environment can give the Counselor and Client a common place from which to begin the counselling process. Essentially, the life-span development approach addresses the basic ‘nature vs nurture’ debate by allowing for both. Just as our physicals selves are determined by both genetics and lifestyle, so are our emotional selves. Considering cognitive, biological, and socio-emotional development throughout life will provide context, guideposts, and reasonable expectations for Counsellors. Knowledge of human development over a lifespan is important for counselors to be aware of because it allows them to identify natural stages and cycles that individuals will commonly go through in their lifetime. This can help counsellors to identify what is normal and what is abnormal. Being aware of these abnormalities/normalities could save the counsellor a great of time in the assessment and interview process, the formulation of treatment goals and could ultimately change the treatment plan. As a Professional Counsellor, I plan to consider life-span development to specialize in counselling a specific type of person with hopes of becoming well-versed, and therefore more helpful, in the types of experiences that group faces. "Personality can be better understood if it is examined developmentally" (Santrock, 2006, p. 45).
Give two short examples of how developmental knowledge would help a counsellor deal with two specific types of adult issues.
A client comes to me for stress related symptoms and during the
References: Baltes, P.B., Reese, H.W., Lipsitt, L.P. (1980). Life-span developmental psychology. In Annual Review of Psychology, 3, 65-110. Biggs, S. (2003). Counselling psychology and mid-life issues. In Woolfe, R., Dryden, W., Strawbridge, S. (Eds.), Handbook of counselling psychology (pp. 363-380). London: Sage. Chekhov, A. (1964). The major plays. New York: Signet. Fingarette, H. (1996). Death: Philosophical soundings. Chicago and La Salle: Open Court. Gould, R.L. (1978). Transformations: Growth and change in adult life. New York: Simon and Schuster.