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 applied 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 applied knowledge and insight. The entire lifespan is reflected on by reviewing internal experiences and external events. The experiential component of this unit provides the context for developing counselling skills for facilitating clients’ life transitions, with a deep understanding of the challenges of negotiating life phases.

Theoretically, students first 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 Jungian and Process Work perspectives of Life Myth are also explored, and unique patterns and challenges identified.