Throughout my professional career I have been impressed by individual differences across the lifespan. It is my belief that, at any given time, an individual reflects the cumulative interactions of genetic, biological, experiential, social, and other factors across the lifespan. Accordingly, an individual who requests treatment is more than a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. He or she is an individual and the “symptoms” which bring the individual to my office must be understood within the context of that individual’s life, as well as the strengths and positive coping strategies the individual already has. In order to gain an initial understanding of the life context of the adult, I often ask the adult to complete my Adult History Questionnaire. (To download a copy, please click here.)
The adult stage of life can be characterized by the many adaptations which adults make across the lifespan. For example, establishing independence, progressing in a career, marriage, starting a family, retiring, or becoming incapacitated and again being dependent upon others. This stage of life can present many unexpected adaptations such as loss of employment, financial problems, divorce, loss of a long-term partner, health problems of a loved one, adjustment or situational problems of a child. In addition to these changes, adults may experience special trauma such as that experienced by military personnel during combat. Adapting to the many changes and coping with special trauma can often overwhelm an adult who is also trying to meet his or her myriad of responsibilities in other areas of his or her life. Sometimes the adult only needs assistance identifying appropriate resources. Other times the adult may require assistance in mustering and using coping resources and strategies which he or she already has. Still other times, the adult my require assistance developing new coping strategies or resolving a special problem.
I will use my understanding of the adult’s unique life context, as well as my knowledge of normal lifespan issues, to develop a treatment plan to try to achieve the desired and agreed upon outcome(s).
