Unit Description
This unit explores understandings of the developmental phases of life and changing human needs through the lifespan, with a focus on students’ own development through these phases to develop experiential knowledge and insight.
This unit explores understandings of the developmental phases of life and changing human needs through the lifespan, with a focus on students’ own development through these phases to develop experiential knowledge and insight. Reviewing internal experiences and external events provides a reflection on the entire life span.
The experiential component of this unit provides the context for developing counselling/Psychotherapy skills for facilitating clients’ life transitions, with a deep understanding of the mirroring phase throughout life.
Theoretically, students learn about the phases of childhood development from an Anthroposophical perspective as well as other theories of childhood development, including Attachment theory and learning developmental theories of Erickson, Piaget and Vygotsky.
Secondly, students focus on the biographical development through the life span of adult developmental stages from early adulthood to old age and death. The Process Work perspectives of Life Myth are also explored, and unique patterns and challenges identified.
Unit Code
201S
Unit Type
Core Unit
Study Period
Semester 1, Year 2
Credit Points
4.5
Unit Coordinator
Consultation Times
30 minutes before and after workshop intensives and by appointment during the semester
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Articulate the metamorphosis of the life phases of human development from the holistic paradigm, based on the work of Steiner and the Holistic Human Being
- Critically compare the holistic paradigm of life phases and development with Attachment Theory and learning developmental theories
- Articulate and apply the phases of early childhood development and attachment theory
- Develop an understanding of Steiner’s thread of destiny and Process Work’s Journey Principal/Life Myth and how this is applied in counselling and psychotherapy
- Articulate the process of ageing from physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual perspectives using Steiner’s Model
- Critically analyse the Metavision approach of anthroposophical biography and life myth with other approaches to lifespan development theories
- Develop an understanding of how attachment theory influences the client therapist relationship
- Develop an understanding of how to identify and work with a client’s Life Myth using Process Oriented techniques
Graduate Attributes
| Attributes | Statement |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | Our graduates will have advanced skills in collaborating respectfully with colleagues, teams and clients to enhance productive outcomes and manage conflict skilfully |
| Ethical practice and integrity | Our graduates will demonstrate high ethical standards in their work and follow professional Codes of Ethics to do good (beneficence) and avoid harm (maleficence) |
| Professionalism | Our graduates will have a highly developed understanding of their work roles and responsibilities and uphold a high level of professional conduct in their work |
| Holistic awareness | Our graduates will have an in-depth understanding of how the physical body, the psyche and mind/ spirit/self are in constant interaction and relationship with each other and with the environment |
| Communication | Our graduates have well-developed written and oral communication skills, including listening deeply and receiving, interpreting and transmitting complex information, on many levels of awareness with colleagues, clients and the community |
| Lifelong learning | Our graduates have the skills necessary to successfully manage their careers and continue their personal and professional development in rapidly changing environments across their career spans |
| Critical thinking | Our graduates have critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate and analyse information and make informed professional judgements |
Delivery Mode
Workshop intensives
Online delivery
1 hour Zoom discussion
Study Buddy activities
Eight hours over the semester
- Student workload
The total unit workload is equivalent to 9.75 hours per week over the semester, 156 hours in total.
- 20 hours on-campus workshop intensives
- 1 hour zoom discussion
- 8 hours study buddy work
- 128 personal study hours
Available in Courses
This unit is available in the following courses:
Specialist Training in Holistic Counselling & PsychotherapyCreated: 28 Jun 2021, 5:06 p.m. • Updated: 13 Feb 2023, 2:39 p.m.