Career counselors’ experiential reflections on early recollections in career construction counseling

Abstract

Many studies validate career construction counseling (CCC); however, counselors’ experiences of using early recollections (ERs) in CCC have garnered little research attention. Preliminary research among career counselors in Norway has revealed skepticism about using ERs, owing to aspects such as associations with therapy. Therefore, this study examines career counselors’ experiential reflections on using ERs in CCC. Through thematic analysis of multistage focus group interviews from action research with 16 career counselors, their experiential reflections on using ERs in CCC were identified. Necessary awareness for using ERs in CCC is discussed, and the study indicates career counselors’ raised awareness regarding role understanding and a need for promoting career counselors’ emotional and narrative competences. A dual training process is suggested, combining being counseled using CCC with both theoretical and practical training along with a professional community for reflections. Practical implications and limitations are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.