Interventions for Addressing Co- Occurring Career and Mental Health Concerns February 12th, 2015 NCCA Conference
Introduction Career and Mental Health Connection Assessment Interventions Case Study Final Thoughts References Outline
Introduction Kathryn A. Theall, B.S. Graduate student Wake Forest University Counseling Department. Treasurer Pi Alpha Chapter of CSI Interest in topic? Prior experience working as an undergraduate peer career advisor, career and mental health concerns with college students at internship site. Seth C.W. Hayden Ph.D., LPC (VA), NCC, CCMHC, ACS Assistant Professor of Counseling Experience as Program Director of Career Advising and Counseling at Large Public University Interest in topic? Experienced first-hand the connection between career and mental health
Introduction Take a moment to reflect on your journey to becoming a counselor. Write down 5 things in total that influenced this process? Helped? Hindered? How might the things you identified be connected?
Career and Mental Health Connection Career decision making involves complex psychological processes, which affect all aspects of life (Corbishley & Yost, 1989; Yost & Corbishley, 1997). Depression found to be a significant indicator of career indecision (Saunders, Peterson, Sampson, & Reardon, 2000) Zunker (2008) suggested that while personal and career counseling have traditionally been viewed as separate entities, they should be viewed through an integrative approach that takes into account 1) career, 2) affective, 3) cognitive-behavioral, and 4) cultural needs
Connection between Career and Mental Health Lent, R. W., & Brown, S. D. (2006). Integrating person and situation perspectives on work satisfaction: A social-cognitive view. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 69, 236–247.
Connection between Career and Mental Health Adapted from: Sampson, J. P., Jr., Peterson, G. W., Lenz, J. G., & Reardon, R. C. (1992). A cognitive approach to career services: Translating concepts into practice. Career Development Quarterly, 41, Copyright © National Career Development Association. Used with permission.
Assessing Career Decision Scale (CDS) a measure of career indecision with higher scores demonstrating more uncertainty (Osipow, 1987, as cited by Saunders, D. E., Peterson, G. W., Sampson, J. P., Jr., & Reardon, R. C. (2000)). Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) indicates symptoms and attitudes associated with depression (BDI; Beck,Ward, Mendelson, Mock, & Erbaugh, 1979, as cited by Saunders, D. E., Peterson, G. W., Sampson, J. P., Jr., & Reardon, R. C. (2000). Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI) a theory-based assessment that measures career thinking (Peterson et al., 1991, 1996, as cited by Saunders, D. E., Peterson, G. W., Sampson, J. P., Jr., & Reardon, R. C. (2000). State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) looks at anxiety symptoms a participant feels presently as well as how participants feel generally (Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1970a, as cited by Saunders, D. E., Peterson, G. W., Sampson, J. P., Jr., & Reardon, R. C. (2000).
Assessing The Emotional and Personality Career Difficulties scale (EPCD) is based on a theoretical model that states a relationship between emotional and personality factors that may cause pervasive difficulties and career. Gati (2008) designed the EPCD to assess for pessimistic views, anxiety, and self-concept and identity (EPCD; Saka, Gati & Kelly., 2008, as cited by Gati, I., Gadassi, R., Saka, N., Hadadi, Y., Ansenberg, N., Friedmann, R., & Asulin-Peretz, L. (2011)). Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale (CDSE) looks at self- efficacy as it relates to career decision-making (Taylor & Betz, 1983, as cited by Gati, I., Gadassi, R., Saka, N., Hadadi, Y., Ansenberg, N., Friedmann, R., & Asulin-Peretz, L. (2011)).
Interventions In a study conducted with college students, Multon (2001) suggests helping clients understand relationship between psychological distress and career difficulties rather than dichotomize personal and career concerns. Career counseling could potentially resolve both psychological distress and career issues (Multon et al., 2001, as cited by Hinkelman & Luzzo, 2007.) Schultheiss’ (2000) model of relational career counseling uses a client’s relationships to connect career and personal concerns (Schultheiss, 2000, as cited by Hinkelman & Luzzo, 2007.) Online interventions are becoming increasingly more popular, and fit well with CIP model of building self-knowledge. Examples: SDS, PARiConnect, Choices. Authors stress follow-up sessions where counselors interpret results and provide feedback (Osborn, Kronholz, Finklea, & Cantonis, 2014.)
Apps and Social Media as Interventions Smartphone Apps that for self-knowledge: “iThoughts,” which creates a thought map; and “Unstuck,” creates a decision tree (Osborn et al., 2014.) App to augment meta-cognition: Headspace (mindfulness practice) could be helpful for someone dealing with anxiety or depression that could be impeding career decision-making process (Osborn et al., 2014.) Social media sites to help the career search: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook (Osborn et al., 2014.)
Interventions My Career Story, (free, online at vocopher.com) Autobiographical, allows client to narrate their career/life story and create meaning for themselves. Uses Holland RIASEC model to explain work settings (Savickas & Hartung, 2012.) Self-Directed Search (SDS) available online, asks about interests, activities, abilities, and aspirations that provides users with a three-letter “Holland Code” (Holland, 1994.) (cite more recent version Messer and Holland 2013.) Decision Space Worksheet, a projective assessment that looks at the emotional and social implications from which a client is making a career choice. Can also let the counselor know if there are potential mental health issues impeding career decision. (Peterson, Leasure, Carr, & Lens, 2009.) Career Thoughts Inventory Workbook, based on CIP, CBT cognitive restructuring (Sampson, Peterson, Lenz, Reardon, & Saunders, 1996.)
Case Study Processing (SH) Betsy has come to a mental health counseling private practice to receive assistance in addressing significant social anxiety in addition to intimate partner relational concerns. In your initial discussion with her, you learned she has been out of work for quite some time after being let go by a legal firm in which she worked as an associate. Betsy expressed uncertainty regarding next steps for her both personally and professionally.
Final Thoughts/Questions? What are your thoughts on the connection between career and mental health concerns? How do you prioritize the career and mental health concerns? What are you taking from this presentation related to addressing these concerns? Final Thoughts/Questions?
Thank you for your time!!! We hope you have a great experience at the conference!!! Contact Information Kate Theall:
References Holland, J. L. (1994). The Self-Directed Search (4th ed., Form R). Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources Cite CTI workbook Brooks, L., & Brown, D. (1996). Career counseling for adults: Implications for mental health counselors. In W. J. Weikel, A. J. Palmo (Eds.), Foundations of mental health counseling (2nd ed.) (pp ). Springfield, IL, England: Charles C Thomas, Publisher. Brown, D., & Brooks, L. (1985). Career counseling as a mental health intervention. Professional Psychology: Research And Practice, 16(6), doi: / Hinkelman, J. & Luzzo, D. (2007). Mental health and career development of college students. Journal of Counseling and Development Multon, K.D., Heppner, M.J., Zook, C., & Ellis-Kalton, C.A. (2001). Client psychological distress: An important factor in career counseling. Career Development Quartly, Savickas, M. & Hartung, P. (2012.) My career story: An autobiographical workbook for life-career success. Retrieved from: Osborn, D. S., Kronholz, J. F., Finklea, J. T., & Cantonis, A. M. (2014). Technology-savvy career counselling. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 55(4), doi: /a Peterson, G. W., Leasure, K., Carr, D., & Lenz, J. G. ( ). The decision space worksheet: An assessment of context in career decision making. Career Planning and Adult Development, 24, Stoltz, K. B. (2013). Techniques in career construction counseling. In A. Di Fabio, J. G. Maree (Eds.), Psychology of career counseling: New challenges for a new era: Festschrift in honour of Prof. Mark L. Savickas (pp ). Hauppauge, NY, US: Nova Science Publishers. Wake Forest Logo: QT_y4CYAg&ved=0CB0QsAQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=t-r8NdfPAbKcoM%253A%3B5J- TE4uZ4AAdFM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fidentitystandards.wfu.edu%252Ffiles%252F2012%252F01%252FWFU_Univ_H_RGB.jpg%3Bhttp% 253A%252F%252Fidentitystandards.wfu.edu%252Flogo-and-seal%252F%3B1080%3B340 Walker, J. I., & Peterson, G. W. (2012). Career thoughts, indecision, and depression: Implications for mental health assessment in career counseling. Journal Of Career Assessment, 20(4), doi: /