Comparison of Mahler's Stages of Separation‐Individuation with Pinals' Developmental Stages of Forensic Psychiatry Fellows
| Mahler's Stages of Separation‐Individuation* | Pinals' Forensic Fellows Stages of Development† |
|---|---|
| Differentiation (5–10 months) | Transformation |
| Infant begins to hatch from autistic shell, develops cognitively, and begins to compare what is and is not “mother.” Anxiety toward strangers (the unknown) involves both curiosity and fear. | Fellow has limited knowledge and may have a sense of loss emerge as he or she moves from the known and comfortable clinical treatment role. Trainee may have a sense of anxiety regarding the unknown and his or her ability to manage time and to acquire basic forensic skills. |
| Practicing (10–16 months) | Growth of Confidence and Adaptation |
| Infant begins to gain a new perspective, a mood of elation at times. Exhibits characteristic separation anxiety when the mother is not around. | Fellow gains new perspective and comfort level with role as forensic psychiatrist. Confidence begins to develop in newly acquired skills. Sense of identify is “just beginning to blossom.” Fellow has increasing curiosity and begins to focus on the future. |
| Rapprochement (16–24 months) | |
| Toddler has more awareness of physical separation, brings objects to mother, desires to be soothed by mother but may not be able to accept help. Resolution of crises occurs as child is able to obtain gratification from his/her own accomplishments. | |
| Object Constancy (24–36 months) | Identification and Realization |
| Child becomes comfortable with mother's absence, has gradual internalization of mother, and can tolerate delay and endure separations. | Fellow begins to believe he or she has mastered certain skills and “realize [his or her] self‐identification as forensic psychiatrists.” |
* Adapted, with permission, from Mahler MS: On the first three phases of the separation‐individuation process. Int J Psychoanalysis 53:333–8, 1968.
† Adapted, with permission, from Pinals DA: Forensic psychiatry fellowship training: developmental stages as an educational framework. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law 33:317–23, 2005.