Introduction
Counseling requires a deep and thorough understanding of the individuals seeking help. A variety of theories exist that help counselors identify patterns, roadmaps, and symptom progression in their clients. The concept of developmental milestones helps individuals identify the barriers and changes they encounter at each stage, and aids in creating a more resilient environment in which these milestones can be managed.
Adolescence is a significant milestone within the framework. As it spans middle childhood and ends before a person reaches early adulthood, adolescence is a significant stage marked by numerous physical, emotional, and psychological changes. Hence, specific characteristics have been attributed to this particular stage, which lasts from 12 to 18 years old.
This paper aims to explore the limitations and benefits of applying the concept of “normal development” in counseling. According to the analysis, despite the benefits of gaining a better understanding of the client’s struggles and establishing a roadmap, the limitations highlight “normal development” as somewhat unreliable. The notion may lead to hindered patient-centered care, potential misunderstandings, a lack of inclusivity, failure to uncover genuine fears and problems, and missed diagnoses.
Normal Devolvement
The notion of “normal development” correlates with the definition of on-time attainment of specific characteristics. It relates to the milestones the person reaches based on age and life stage (Zubler et al., 2022). Each stage of life is classified according to the changes a person experiences in terms of physical, cognitive, and social aspects.
Needless to say, adolescents exhibit a distinct set of characteristics and undergo specific changes associated with development between the ages of 12 and 18. Regarding physical changes, females experience breast development and the onset of their menstrual cycles, while males experience testicular enlargement (Best & Ban, 2021). Overall growth, voice changes, and acne are also physical characteristics of normal development. Changes in the brain, on the other hand, generate significant cognitive changes.
Social changes are characterized by the importance of social acceptance, the phenomenon of trying to fit in, and looking for a sense of self and independence. The value of social rewards and risk-taking is also a milestone correlating with the life stage (Cavanagh, 2022). Hence, a counselor would consider these when applying the notion of “normal behavior” to assist a person within the aforementioned age bracket.
Benefits of “Normal Development” in Counseling
Implementing the theory of developmental milestones in counseling is, to an extent, controversial. However, it is essential to highlight that the measure does indeed correlate with benefits for both the client and the counselor. In fact, researchers mention that one’s age may be a determinant that helps the psychologist comprehend the changes and characteristics experienced by an individual (Demisch & Kuchinke, 2022). Hence, the benefits of applying this concept include the ability to relate to the client’s struggles and experiences, as well as establishing a roadmap to guide the client through changes at various stages.
Relating to the Client’s Experience
For the client-counselor relationship to be established, it is essential to base it on trust and mutual understanding. Specifically, an individual who trusts the person providing help is more likely to trust that improvement will be achieved (Crits-Christoph et al., 2019). However, establishing a high level of trust and respect with an adolescent can be difficult. According to researchers, adolescents often face barriers when it comes to help-seeking behaviors due to the belief that they can handle problems independently (Hellström & Beckman, 2021). Hence, counselors can be viewed as adults who cannot understand their day-to-day struggles to regulate emotions, manage social groups, and find themselves.
By applying the concept of “normal behavior,” counselors can better relate to their clients and understand the struggles they face. Researchers mention the importance of empathy and awareness (Byrd & Luke, 2020). By being informed about the cognitive, social, and physical changes adolescents undergo, the counselor can identify barriers, engage in meaningful conversations, and establish a strong bond. As a result of the bond, trust will be built. The client will be more confident that the counselor understands and comprehends various circumstances related to the specific life stage.
Establishing a Roadmap
As highlighted previously, adolescents experience changes on multiple levels. Hence, it may be the case that the counselor is required to build a roadmap to help the client build one. It can incorporate a variety of concepts and programs that correlate with both mental health and one’s psychosocial life (Jordans & Kohrt, 2020).
For example, authors highlight that teenagers require a sense of belonging to a group or community (Fabris et al., 2023). By knowing this information linked to developmental milestones, the counselor can recommend youth groups in case the client reports feelings of loneliness and a lack of social connections. Hence, the approach to treatment is multifaceted as a variety of elements can be included in the program, and the client is more likely to have a more organized and helpful path toward well-being.
Diagnosing
Although developmental milestones are not directly associated with specific diagnoses, there are connections between one’s life stage and specific conditions. According to research, depression is often diagnosed in young people despite the lack of a direct link (Best & Ban, 2021). Nonetheless, it can be linked to the increased brain activity and development that occur during adolescence. Depression is considered a factor of developmental distress in teenagers and should be recognized as such (Rikard-Bell et al., 2022). As a result, “normal development,” or its lack thereof, can be identified and addressed using the theoretical framework.
Limitations of “Normal Development” in Counseling
The previously mentioned positive aspects of applying developmental milestones in counseling adolescents do not dismiss the fact that the theory can hinder care provision. Each theory differs from the others, and it is challenging to select a framework that can be applied to every individual. Each client is different, experiences different emotions, and perceives changes in contrasting ways. Counselors may act based on biases that correlate with adolescence as a life stage, and as a result, the potential for maximizing well-being for the client is hindered (Yager et al., 2021). Among the limitations of the method are disrupted patient-centered care, errors, a lack of inclusivity, missed opportunities for improvement, and misdiagnosing clients.
Patient-Centered Care
Patient-centered care is pivotal in all areas where a specialty aims to improve one’s well-being. The notion implies that each client has unique experiences, thoughts, and desires that require a distinct approach (Fosgerau & Kaae, 2021). In this case, the counselor asks multiple questions during every session to gain a deeper understanding of the patient’s unique experience (Renger, 2021).
By integrating the developmental milestone concept, patient-centered care can be hindered, as the person is viewed through the lens of their age and the stage of life they are in. Hence, the client may perceive the process as non-congruent with reality and personal experience. As a result, motivation decreases, and well-being or trust in the counselor may be impaired.
Based on the client-centered approach, all the emotions and actions of a person are taken at face value. Hence, they are not being integrated into the paradigm that the concepts are, directly or indirectly, connected to the fact that adolescence is the reason for the client’s barriers. According to researchers, this approach enhances congruence as the counselor facilitates self-discovery. In the case of “normal development”, self-discovery is approached from the perspective of the life stage. As a result, it may not be the most efficient way to interact with individuals seeking psychological help.
Errors
Errors can occur in counseling, and they can impact both the client’s well-being and their desire to continue therapy. Researchers define counseling errors as approaches implemented by care providers that do not benefit the clients (Knox et al., 2020). Regarding the concept of “normal development”, errors may occur when the counselor approaches an issue from a developmental perspective.
An example is rebelliousness, which would be considered normal behavior due to hormonal changes during adolescence. However, in the case of trauma, the individual may have erratic behavior as a coping mechanism. The factor would not be considered if the counselor were to guide their perception solely based on developmental milestones.
Another type of error that can occur when using the aforementioned method is the lack of cultural considerations. Researchers emphasize that considering a client’s cultural background is essential for providing high-quality therapy (Curran et al., 2019). Adolescence as a developmental stage is often associated with a fast increase in sexuality, the beginning of sexual activity, and similar changes (Hegde et al., 2022). At the same time, counselors cannot view each adolescent through this prism, as, culturally, sexual activity is regulated through traditions, religion, and rules. Hence, a teenager from a religious family or community will have a different experience compared to one growing up in an open-minded family where rules are not in place. As a counselor, it is essential to discuss various topics based on the client’s experiences rather than their demographics.
A Lack of Inclusivity
The ‘normal development’ concept, as a basis for counseling adolescents, has the potential to minimize the number of clients who may be susceptible to the selected measure. For example, teenagers who engage in alcohol and drug use behaviors have impaired brain development (2023). Additionally, various disabilities, both physical and intellectual, can also generate a lack of opportunities to receive counseling based on developmental milestone techniques.
It is important to note that, even though certain generalities can be formulated, each adolescent differs. Their development can differ, and counselors are to consider such factors when working with clients. Hence, inclusivity can be hindered when all individuals are perceived as required to reach specific changes due to their age. In some instances, the changes are either delayed or will not occur, and the person requires a client-centered approach.
Missed Opportunities for Improvement
Needless to say, the developmental milestone framework is applied in counseling to help clients navigate changes and transitions healthily. However, focusing on the milestones may impair other opportunities linked to well-being. Missed opportunities can be direct or preventative (Nabirye et al., 2020). As the counselor focuses on aspects of adolescence highlighted in evidence-based literature, other aspects of a teenager’s life can be dismissed.
For example, a teenager who is responsible for taking care of younger siblings may not be rebellious, take risks, or seek social approval. Yet, these concepts are often associated with individuals aged 12 to 18. In this case, the counselor will miss the opportunity to help the client with the responsibilities that they should not have at that age. When the client is viewed from one perspective, other perspectives can have a secondary role in counseling and therapy. Therefore, the client will be limited in the help that can be received, and the set goals will not be achieved to the same extent.
Misdiagnosing Patients
Diagnosing patients is a complex process, especially when it comes to teenagers. A variety of factors can impact an adolescent’s mental health, including family situation, environment, past experiences, and genetics (Jensen et al., 2021). However, diagnosing individuals based on “normal development” can lead to errors in identifying certain conditions.
As highlighted previously, teenagers often have depression, which has been linked to changes in brain activity in people of this age group (Lu, 2019). However, it does not imply that other conditions cannot be diagnosed as well. For example, adolescence is often associated with erratic behavior and impulsivity, which is linked to hormonal changes. However, the counselor may miss diagnosing the person with Bipolar Personality disorder because the judgment is formed based on developmental factors only.
Another example is the view of interactions with peers. On the one hand, the counselor may perceive this phenomenon as an essential stage in adolescents’ process of fitting into social groups and seeking validation. However, certain people cannot easily make such connections. Social media may be one reason why communication is impaired (American Psychological Association, 2023). As a result, the counselor considers the environment, its impact on behavior, and the individual’s experience separately.
Conclusion
“Normal development” refers to the process of achieving developmental milestones at each stage of life. Adolescents experience significant physical, emotional, and social changes that can be difficult to cope with. A counselor can utilize the concept of “normal development” to establish a connection with the client and provide a roadmap for addressing issues associated with each life stage.
However, multiple limitations highlight the method as insufficient in counseling. The approach hinders patient-centered care as the individual is viewed through the prism of adolescence and maximizes the potential for facilitating errors. A lack of inclusivity correlating with the concept of “normal development”, missed opportunities for improvement, and misdiagnosing clients are additional barriers that negatively impact psychotherapy both for the counselor and the client. As a result, the notion can be implemented in certain aspects of communication with the client, yet it is secondary. Hence, each person should be viewed as a unique individual to generate patient-centered care, as this will minimize the aforementioned barriers associated with the implementation of “normal development” in therapy.
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