Counseling Individuals Through the LifeSpan

'Counseling Individuals Through the LifeSpan' is a second edition that is written by Daniel W. Wong; Kimberly R. Hall and Lucy Wong Hernandez in 2021 by Sage Publications. This is a textbook that covers the subject of human development from conception through elderhood. This is a book that I believe could be used in a social work course as well as in counseling programs.

In general this textbook covers the subject of human development in the areas from the physical, mental and social aspects of all age groups. This is followed by the various counseling issues that a future counselor or a social worker would be presented with in their careers. Each chapter is dedicated to a particular age group.

Each chapter covers a developmental period of our lives from conception through elderhood covering the physical and emotional aspects of each, but then the chapters go into the counseling issues and the most 'famous' theories and theorists from Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky, Kohlberg and others that are known in the field. The theories that are covered are the Maturational theory, Social learning theory, Behaviorism, Biopsychosocial and the ecological theory of human development.

Through each of the chapters there are case illustrations that give the student and teacher ideas in how to use the concepts and answer various discussion questions as homework or in small group discussions. There are also Guided practice exercises that give the counseling or social work student more practice involving the various issues that are presented at each stage of living.

The textbook is divided into four parts each containing periods of human development. Part one is a general overview of human development and how counseling will fit with that area of development. Part two is the level from birth through Middle childhood and is about the theories and skills that one reaches during this time and solving the various issues and dilemmas that children and parents face. Part three is the section about the stages of Adolescence through Middle adulthood moving on to how to help teenagers and parents deal with what is going on with all involved. Part four is about the stage of Later adulthood and Elderhood and the changes that occur at this time of human development and issues and dilemmas that occur for all of us to consider when we reach this time.

The illustrations throughout the textbook are in black and white, but they show visually what it is like at these various periods of development. The charts are easy to follow and they give a better way of seeing the text using bolder typeface. In reading the bulk of the text the type is on the small size, some would say elite type, but still very readable and no strain on the body for this is a paperback textbook that does not weigh a lot. At the end of each chapter there is a comprehensive summary of what is covered in the chapter followed by an in depth list of references that were used by the authors. My favorite part of each chapter was the famous quote that the authors chose to introduce the chapters for these quotes in a few words stated the major concepts of the chapter and periods of development. After the last chapter the authors included an interview that gave them a chance to state why they presented their ideas. There is also after the interview a Core Curriculum Experiences chart for all the chapters of the text showing what skills are learned. There is also a glossary with all the terms in green for easier location followed by a detailed definition when needed quickly.

As mentioned earlier this is a great teaching tool for counselors as well as social/human service workers to use in their chosen areas as a great reference tool.