Approach-Framework

Approach & Framework

Career is constructed from stories we tell ourselves about work and our self-concept. I subscribe to a career construction or Life-Design counseling approach that proposes that career is subjective, constructed and a bridge between your self-concept and society. Career is the implementation of the self-concept and the interplay between you and society. Career is taking your private story and applying it to the public world – it’s a bridge between the public and private.

Your identity and how you interpret your work and relationship to the world is at the center of career counseling.

Career develops by taking action, and through and with people. I use an active process where connecting with experiences and people is central to our work together.

What Is The Process of Career Counseling?

Career counseling is similar to other counseling in that the process adjusts to the needs of the client. Every counseling relationship, however, consists of three things: Goals for the relationship and related tasks to accomplish goals, as well as the rapport that allows the counselor and client to work well together. The goals and tasks are consistent with the training and expertise of the counselor. In my case, I have extensive training and experience in working with individuals on their career development.

Common Goals

1. Explore and identify meaningful work.

The process here often starts with understanding what is meaningful to you, how you assign meaning, how you have interpreted your past to create a career story, and how it colors your current view and hopes for the future. Also, being aware of your style of exploration and developing effective skills is important.
Related tasks might include formal and informal assessments, you sharing your story and me actively listening to identify strengths and themes.

2. Develop confidence and strategies for pursuing a career dream.

The process here may be stepping back to identify and build strengths and skills to pursue the objective.
Related tasks could include identifying and implementing small steps in the direction of objective, including identifying people and resources with which to engage.

3. Adapt to changes and transitions.

Often people come to career counseling because of voluntary or involuntary changes and transitions in their lives. Adapting to this type change can be one of the most stressful events in people’s lives.
Career counseling allows for opportunity to step back to evaluate, assess, and consider options for building the bridge between the self-concept and society. Stress management and mindfulness are also frequent tasks. Understanding the stages of career development and stages is helpful here.