The Middle Passage:

Reframing Midlife Through Compassionate Depth, Creativity, and Cultural Awareness

This continuing education presentation explores identity formation in midlife through developmental, clinical, and depth psychological perspectives, with particular attention to themes inspired by James Hollis’ work on the “middle passage.” Participants will examine how midlife often evokes questions of meaning, purpose, loss, and transformation, while challenging culturally dominant narratives of the “midlife crisis.” Topics include developmental shifts, identity restructuring, grief and disorientation, cultural influences, and the clinical implications of supporting clients through this transitional life stage. Attendees will gain conceptual frameworks, reflective tools, and practical interventions for working with midlife identity exploration in therapeutic settings.

Jacqueline N. Vidal is a Licensed Associate Counselor and presenter whose work explores identity development, meaning-making, and psychological transformation across the lifespan. Drawing from clinical experience, depth psychology, and psychoeducational practice, she focuses on how midlife can serve as a profound period of identity reexamination, healing, and integration. Her work emphasizes practical application for clinicians while honoring the personal, cultural, and developmental complexity of the midlife journey.