Using the CALTAP lifespan developmental framework with older adults

Conceptualizations of psychological assessment and therapy with older adults rarely refer to more generalist lifespan developmental theories. Yet such frameworks can greatly assist experienced practitioners as well as trainees and those who may be new to seeing older clients to orient themselves to specific issues and concerns of this age group. The Contextual Adult Lifespan Theory for Adapting Psychotherapy (CALTAP) model was developed as a way of both understanding clients from a lifespan perspective and adapting psychotherapy to their needs (Knight & Poon, 2008). The CALTAP themes of developmental aging, social context, cohort differences, and cultural issues can inform and guide discussions regarding psychotherapy as was its original intent, but are also relevant for assessment purposes. In this paper we address how CALTAP can inform assessment as well as psychotherapy by practitioners. Moreover, we detail how the model may be used to prompt self-reflection by clients and psychologists alike.