Contextual Based Interviewing Norman Amundson University of British Columbia

decision trigger external influences determining contexts ACTION framing Interactive Decision Making Model HELPER ROLE: REFRAMING

Decision Triggers Internal (special day) or External (event – job loss, trauma) Questions First Impressions Transition Period Reactions from Significant Others

Initial Framing and Action Thoughts and Feelings Impacts on Others Support (emotional, financial) received or not received

Counsellor Responses : Reframing Empathy Normalizing experiences eg. Emotional roller coaster Confidence Building – reminding person of past successes

Exploring Contextual Issues The Decision Viewing the event from a snapshot perspective i.e. what was happening, what were the influences The Journey The process of getting to where you are today

Contextual Questions: The Family What type of advice have you received about career?…..What were your thoughts about what you heard?… In your family were there any occupations that were highly valued (or not)?… How were career decisions made in your family? In looking at your current problem are there any similar or related situations that you have observed with family or friends (current or in the past).

Contextual Questions: Agency What were the challenges (internal and external influences) and how these were overcome? Handling challenges in other aspects of life

Contextual Questions: Spiritual In making your career decisions does the spiritual domain play a part?… (If yes, then further exploration might ensue).

Contextual Exercise: Learning Paid and unpaid work positions (part time and full time) What was learned in these positions ie. working hard is rewarded or not

Career-O-Gram (Ambitions) Thorngren & Feit (2001) 1. How old were you when you developed this goal? 2. What aspects of this career most appealed to you? 3. Compare your career ambition with others in your family, community, culture, etc. 4. Chances of realizing the goal 5. What actions would be needed to attain this goal? 6. What important people in your life encouraged/discouraged you? Was this related to gender, social status, cultural background, etc.

Systems Theory McMahon & Patton (2006) View self at a particular point in time, then draw a circle in the center of the page. Write ‘ME’ in the middle. In the circle describe personality, skills, interests and so on. Consider the impact of significant others and draw them as smaller circles intersecting the ‘ME’ circle.

Systems Theory (cont’d) McMahon & Patton (2006) Draw a larger circle around what has been drawn and list broader societal and environmental influences eg. growing up in a rural setting, income levels, government policies, etc. Add one further circle. Comment on the past and the present. Example: hopes, how past events influenced choices.

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