Lenses Applying Lifespan Development Theories In Counseling ~repack~ Jun 2026

Perhaps the most foundational application of lifespan theory in counseling is Erik Erikson’s epigenetic model of psychosocial development. Unlike static medical models, Erikson’s framework suggests that personality evolves in predetermined stages, each characterized by a specific conflict.

Draw concentric circles. Innermost: client. Next: microsystem (family, close friends). Next: community. Outer: policies, culture. Have the client draw lines (strong, weak, stressful) between circles. This visual often reveals that the “problem” is actually a system gap. Lenses Applying Lifespan Development Theories In Counseling

Move from pathology to development: