Nathan Scarbrough
Week 9 Discussion: Brown,
Chapter 6- Clients with Special Needs
This
chapter further explores person-environment, trait-factor, and other common
theories we’ve studied in regards to statistical outliers in the career
development system. That is, it
instructs us on how to provide counseling to those whose individual traits or
environmental factors restrict or change the career opportunities available to
them such that the career-development theories applying to the normal
(majority) population are inadequate and cannot be applied successfully. This chapter specifically explores unique
counseling obstacles that may arise when providing services to those with
physical restrictions, mental restrictions, the economically disadvantaged,
ex-military, ex-housewives, ex-convicts, those in career transitions, the
elderly, and the retired.
When
dealing with clients that face such significant impediments to their
professional aspirations, many extra steps must be taken. Disadvantages of the client must be explored,
identified, and overcome with effective problem-solving. Helping the client to gain a clear
understanding of their limitations, but also the opportunities still available
to them should go a long way towards promoting professional satisfaction and
hopefully some extra self-efficacy for the client. Additionally, exploration into the emotional
experience of clients, as well as some extra emphasis on the positive should be
a core part of any session.
What
this chapter fails to address, is that perhaps as common as people with
disabling features, are people with highly opportunistic environments and
traits. The extreme goes both ways. I wish this chapter had focused more on the
positive end. I think that just as
important as guiding clients with severe disadvantages, is helping those with
advantages to realize their full potential.
There should be some focus on providing counseling for the exceptionally
gifted and talented. People in high-profit jobs, high-prestige jobs, business
owners, wealthy retires, athletes, talented musicians could all benefit from a
session or two in which they explore how to maximize the opportunities
available to them.
In a
way, this chapter was similar many of the theories we have previously discussed
in class. It applies similar rules, such
as identifying opportunities, strengths, and limiting factors. The only difference I can see is that it
applies these rules to extremely negative situations. While it will be useful to remember the
examples I read here for when I encounter these situations in real life (which
I most-likely will), it is ultimately important to understand that this
approach, like most others, emphasizes the same principals. Take note of the individual, their talents, strengths,
interests, weaknesses, and obstacles, and then take steps to explore and
discover the full breadth of opportunities still available to them.
Brown, D. (2012). Career information, career counseling, and career development (10th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson Education, Inc.
No comments:
Post a Comment