Developmental Model for Couples

"The Developmental Model is an approach to relationship counseling that focuses on the growth of each person individually as well as the growth of the relationship as a whole. Developed by Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson in the 1980s, the model assumes that long-term relationships naturally change over time as they progress and that these changes move through a series of predictable developmental stages. As you may expect, people do not always change in the same way or at the same time which can lead to potential challenges or conflict. With the support and guidance of one of our trained professionals, you can learn to manage when the members of the relationship enter new developmental stages or find themselves in different stages.

With an emphasis on individual and conjoint growth, the Developmental Model focuses on the strengths of the relationship that already exist. Instead of viewing sources of tension and conflict as the result of an illness or problem “needing fixed,” the Developmental Model frames many of the day-to-day challenges and conflicts that we face as part of the natural progress towards growth and wholeness. You can expect to learn more about the developmental stages which, in turn, will make you a more effective communicator, and ultimately lead to a stronger and more bonded relationship! "