Career Counseling : A Narrative Approach

`This book should be viewed as essential reading for anyone interested in developing their understanding of the field of career counselling and developing their own approach. Practitioners will find much they might want to consider incorporating into their own work′ - British Journal of Guidance and Counselling

`As a career counsellor working with clients of all ages and situations, I found Larry Cochran′s new work both pragmatic and intellectually stimulating... [he] provides fresh insight into the essence of career counselling, examining the past to be able to understand the present in order to plan for the future. Written in an accessible style... this book is certainly something which encourages further re

For decades, scholars and professionals have been attracted to theories offering a deeper view of career, but have been frustrated by difficulties in translating theories of meaning making, development, and identity into viable practice. At the same time, there has been growing disenchantment with impersonal techniques of matching an individualÆs traits with skills required for a specific vocation. While personality traits and talents may help to predict a predisposition to a career type, this method of analysis neglects the influences of human purpose, passion, and life history. In Career Counseling, author Larry Cochran fills the void by introducing the theory of narrative construction, a method of counseling that injects personal identity into career development in a practical way. Cochran demonstrates how literary models and constructivist methods can be used in career development to provide the essential subjective dimension that has been lacking in practical counseling. In addition, he provides the innovative materials that are necessary for making this process both efficient and effective. Contributing a unique and important perspective and approach to career counseling, this volume will be widely used by scholars and professionals in the fields of career counseling, clinical/counseling psychology, social psychology, and management.