Career Development

No sources required:

A 23 year old, Caucasian, male client comes to see you for counseling services. He expresses that he is confused and frustrated with choosing “what to do with his life.” He graduated from high school (average student) and started taking classes at a local community college before withdrawing after three semesters. Client reports reason for withdrawal as being lack of motivation, difficulty paying attention in classes and unsure which career path to take. He reports that he was an average student during these three semesters making Bs and Cs.

He states that he is disappointed in himself as are his parents and other family members. Both parents are very successful business people and highly regarded in the community. He has an older sibling who was also very successful in college and now attends graduate school. Client reports that this all adds a great deal of pressure, and high expectations for him. You note during the session that your client displays a somewhat depressed mood and affect. He reports feeling “down” and “discouraged.” No suicidal ideations are expressed.

Client has a difficult time articulating to you his skills and abilities. It appears from your conversation with your client that he has not been challenged a great deal to think about ideas such as his own work values, interests or the vast number of options available to him regarding work and career.

Question #1 Career Theory
Which career development theory would you find most appropriate to guide you in your work with this particular client? Give reasons for your selection.

Question #2 Counseling Model
Which counseling model would you find most helpful in addressing the unique needs of this particular client? Give examples of personal issues this client is struggling with and how your choice of strategies within a given model would be most appropriate. Provide a step by step strategy for working with this client as well as provide actual statements you would say to this client in offering assistance / guidance.

Question #3 Assessment
Which assessment tool do you believe would benefit this client and how did you go about selecting your choice?

Questions #4 Ethical Issues
Comment on any ethical issues that need addressing in dealing with this particular case. Discuss how boundaries of competence, confidentiality, use of assessment, and informed consent would be managed in this situation.