6. Navigating Life's Stages: Intervening with Projections Through Erikson's Developmental Model

Connection Therapy

In life we often find ourselves facing projections—visions of our future selves, our desires, fears, and aspirations. These projections can guide our actions and decisions, but they can also hinder our growth if left unexamined. Understanding and intervening with these projections is key to navigating the complexities of life's various stages.

In today’s episode, Brenda unpacks Erikson’s developmental model to decode projections and pave the path for intervention. Brenda's approach is grounded in Erik Erikson's seminal work on psychosocial development, which delineates eight stages spanning from infancy to late adulthood.

Today, our focus lies on three pivotal adult stages: Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, and Ego Integrity vs. Despair.

Throughout these stages, Brenda guides us in working with projections to cultivate awareness and agency in our lives. By pairing interventions with Erikson's developmental stages, we gain a deeper understanding of how our projections evolve over time and shape our experiences.

Brenda's approach encapsulates the essence of Erikson's developmental model: by understanding the intricacies of human growth and development, we can intervene effectively to foster personal evolution and empower clients to lead fulfilling lives.

Connect with Brenda with the link below

www.connectiontherapypodcast.com

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Erik Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development referenced in Freud and Beyond: A History of Modern Psychoanalytic Thought by Mitchell & Black (1995)

Carol Gilligan’s idea of Contrapuntal Voices, explained in Gilligan C, Eddy J. Listening as a path to psychological discovery: an introduction to the Listening Guide. Perspect Med Educ. 2017 Apr;6(2):76-81. doi: 10.1007/s40037-017-0335-3.

D.W. Winnicott’s idea of “good enough” in Playing and Reality. (1971, Penguin).