1. Summary of Key Points from Plenary II: Applying Cognitive Information Processing Theory to Career Problem Solving and Decision Making
Emily Bullock-Yowell, Ph.D.
University of Southern Mississippi
2016 Society of Vocational Psychology Conference

2. CIP: A theory with applicability
Not Just a Theory but a Program in Action!
Career Center Tours
Training Students
Intervention strategies quickly grasped and applied by Counselors
Client buy-In
Provides a place to start and a direction for overwhelmed clients
Program in Action
This theory is being used as an intervention strategy and guide for a program every day allowing these practitioners to see the applicability of the theory each day
Individual and course based interventions incorporate the tiered service delivery strategies, intervention components (pyramid; CASVE cycle) and assessments girded in this theory
Assessment strategies and interventions involve tools and approaches from a variety of perspectives (e.g., objective nature of the CTI; projective nature of the Decision Based Worksheet)
Training Students
This is one of the highlights of the theory for me. I train my graduate students within a few weeks each year to implement this approach with their clients. I watch video of them using client friendly language to walk clients to an enhanced place in their career development using the pyramid and CASVE cycle
You can train counselors to use this approach quickly to effect client change!
Client Buy-In
Clients understand this approach and we know client buy-in to the counseling process is essential for success.
It is structured to allow clients to learn how to make a good decision to apply those skills now and in the future.
Assesses client readiness before jumping in to pre-prescribed interventions

3. CIP: A theory with empirical support and researchable constructs
Constant integration of theory, research, and practice!
Career Counseling theories and interventions lag behind our general counseling/psychological theories in their empirical support
CIP theory provides a set of researchable constructs that could add to the legitimacy of the field and help us work toward assuring the work we do with clients is actually helping
In Plenary II they presented the information dissemination that has occurred with CIP through articles, book chapters, and such. They also work to provide access to CIP-based resources on their website to allow practitioners and researchers access to tools and information.
Yet this information dissemination not only provides information about the theory but works to empirically test the theory or components within. The information gleaned from this research helps to shape the theory that is open to evolving.
Have ongoing practice from this theory allows practitioners to constantly see how to better use or present the theory and informs the integrated researchers in new directions for research
Empirical support
Colleague and I run CIP-based career groups and measure a variety of outcomes which show support for the overall intervention
Researchable constructs
My student, Brianna Werner, and I are developing a measure of the CASVE cycle to assess the empirical nature of the cycle as well as provide a practical tool for practitioners working within the theory
CIP is an amazing example of theory, research, and practice in action on a continual basis. I’m proud to be a part of the work being done!