Lifespan Development

As the authors of this textbook represent women of different ages, cultural backgrounds, professional identities, and experiences as clinicians and professional educators, we felt that we could work together to try to bring to life, in new ways, the theories and models of lifespan development to benefit you, the future mental health professional, in applying them to your real-world work with future clients. Whether you are training to become a professional counselor, psychologist, social worker, marriage and family therapist, or other mental health professional, you will engage with clients/patients across the lifespan. As humans navigate the different ages of life, they pass through different stages of development. Mental health professionals rely on various theories, treatment modalities, and ongoing research to inform their best practice; we hope this text will support you to do so in a culturally-responsive, humble, self-reflective way, in order that your clients will be ethically and effectively served across the lifespan--