This article explores how applying these theoretical lenses helps mental health professionals tailor their work to a client's specific stage of life, from infancy to old age. The Importance of a Lifespan Perspective
When working with children, a counselor knows that a child in the Preoperational stage (ages 2–7) may not yet grasp abstract concepts or others' perspectives. They might use Play Therapy to allow the child to express feelings they cannot yet put into complex words. 3. Attachment Lens (John Bowlby & Mary Ainsworth) Lenses Applying Lifespan Development Theories In Counseling
Erik Erikson’s 8-stage theory is perhaps the most widely used lens in counseling. It views life as a series of "crises" or challenges that must be resolved to move forward. This article explores how applying these theoretical lenses
Lenses: Applying Lifespan Development Theories in Counseling Cognitive Lens (Jean Piaget)
This lens focuses on the quality of early relationships and how they form "internal working models" for future connections.
A therapist might use this lens to understand why a young adult is struggling with commitment, linking it to the stage of Intimacy vs. Isolation . For an older adult, the lens of Integrity vs. Despair helps process feelings of regret or accomplishment during the final years. 2. Cognitive Lens (Jean Piaget)