Developmental psychologists, such as Erik Erikson and Jean Piaget, are interested in understanding how humans change over the course of the life span. Life stages of psychological development are:

• Pre-natal development
• Infancy
• Toddlerhood
• Childhood
• Adolescence
• Early adulthood
• Middle adulthood
• Old age

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Navigating the transition between life stages can lead to difficulties for some. Life stressors may complicate the life transition process. Stressors include:

• Illness
• Unemployment
• Inadequate social support
• Mental illness
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Lack of financial resources
• Healthcare disparity
• Lack of information or education
• Oppression and discrimination

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help clients learn skills to navigate the struggles that may arise when transitioning between life stages. CBT helps clients by providing education about life stages. Clients also learn to clarify their values. As we transition between stages, our values may shift. Working with a CBT therapist will help you align your values with your developmental stage. Finally, CBT helps clients set goals that are consistent with their values.