Developmental theories are often based on age-related stages, or milestones, that indicate significant changes in physical, cognitive, behavioral, and social aspects across the human lifespan . One of the best-known developmental theories concerns Sigmund Freud's stages of psychosexual development. Freud, like others after him, theorized that early childhood experiences play an important role in personality development. Although contemporary theories of development include adolescence, adulthood, and late adulthood, the theories initially focus on childhood development making this approach particularly useful when working with children. Erick Erickson created his theory of psychosocial stages of development based on his interpretation of Freud's psychosexual stages and with additional aspects of social development. Erickson describes nine stages, related to age, in which a person faces conflicts that could have positive or negative outcomes. Successful development through a particular stage helps the person develop ego strength (expertise) in that area of ​​life. Assuming that all developmental stages can be successfully navigated provides a framework of normal development that psychologists can use to “understand and intervene with clients whose development is not processing according to normal expectations” (Rubin, 2001, p.226). The stages generally occur with major age-related events, which present the individual with a conflict or question to answer. For example, the first phase (from birth to two years of age) presents a crisis of trust vs. mistrust coinciding with the important feeding event. At this stage a child develops a sense of competence (or lack of) regarding his or her ability to trust others. Th...... middle of paper ...... second phase of development of n, autonomy vs shame and doubt .ReferencesFussell, M. (20011, June 20). The stages of artistic development. Retrieved from http://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/the-stages-of-artistic-developmentHinz, L.D. (2009). Continuity of expressive therapies: A framework for using art in therapy. New York: Routledge. Junge, M. B. (2010). The modern history of art therapy in the United States. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas Publisher, LTD. Kottler, J. A., & Montgomery, M. J. (2011). Theories of counseling and therapy: An experiential approach. (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, INC.Moon, CH (2010). Materials and media in art therapy: critical understanding of different artistic vocabularies. New York: Routledge.Rubin, J. A. (2001). Approaches to art therapy: theory and technique. (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.