While reading the Savickas article I had many thoughts pertaining to career indecision and how to navigate the system of determine what career is for an individual. When I first began reading Savickas' article, I did not agree at all what he was saying in regards to constructivist counseling, but as I continued to read it I understood more of the process and the purpose it served. The process of going through someone's past seemed to be tedious to me at first, but I now understand why this type of counseling can be effective and produce results. I think that it is pertinent to know some life history, but I think going all the way back to childhood is not completely necessary. In my discussion post I wrote about two experiences from when I was a kid that are funny to talk about now, not because they had any real meaning. I also wrote a story about meeting my best friend. The story about how I met my best friend does not give any insight to career indecision I experienced.
I think what makes me still question this process is that although the client is giving information about their history and this may include possible insight into their decision, the counselor uses their own discretion on what the life themes are. I understand that the client and counselor should collaborate on these life themes, but I feel it might be the client could just agree with the counselor for the sake of agreeing. I also believe that clients may tell stories the counselor wants to hear rather than telling them stories that are significant. If the client does, however, tell significant stories and express more in their indecision then this approach may be efficient.
I do like that in the constructivist view the counselors focus on giving the client "meaning to crisis points in their lives" (Savickas 1995). I feel as though many individuals feel like things go wrong in their life for no reason, but career indecision is usually due to internal struggles in what the client may really want to do verses the opinions of others on their career choice or just that there are too many options and they cannot sort through them all. The client definitely needs and is obviously seeking guidance if they are working with a counselor in this approach and I think that the client would at least be on the right path in seeking resolution to their indecision.
I have mixed feelings about this approach and would like to see more information in regards to the process and the success rate. I would also be intrigued by hearing from individuals who sought counseling for career indecision and utilized this technique with their counselor to see, firsthand, how they felt it went. I think what a client has to say about an approach is just as significant as the person putting the approach in place.
Savickas, M. (1995). Constructivist counseling for career indecision. The Career Development Quarterly, 43(4), 363-373
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