more diffuse emphasis on general lifestyle concerns. Lifestyle issues
are prominent in both cases, consistent with the youthful age of the
clients (see Spokane, 1991). In addition, both E and K are first-born
children (Leong et al., 2001)—a characteristic that could have im-
plications for their careers and the degree of pressure that each feels
from family.
Contemporary career intervention can contain a blend of the
curative elements that have been found to lead to successful out-
comes (Brown, Ryan, & Krane, 2000; Holland, Magoon, & Spokane,
1981; Spokane, 1991; Spokane et al., 2001). These curative elements
or therapeutic ingredients generally fall in four general categories:
1.Cognitive rehearsal of vocational aspirations,including written
and oral exercises designed to stimulate the client’s envision-
ing of future possibilities and scenarios
2.Information about self and the world of work,provided by indi-
vidualized feedback from assessment devices, and exploratory
activities- Social support,provided by a therapeutic relationship with a
counselor, or from group members, family members, teachers,
coaches, or clergy, which effectively aids in restoring the
client’s morale - A framework for understanding how to make and implement a
career selection,which could be a theoretical structure such as
Holland’s (or other theorists) or an elicited one derived from
the individual’s experience - A mobilization for constructive behavior, which may require
effective management of optimum levels of anxiety (neither
too high nor too low) and modeling on the part of the
counselor
These therapeutic elements can be embedded in an array of
intervention strategies (Spokane, 1991), including individual and
group counseling, workshops, structured groups, classes, and self-
guided activities.
412 CAREER CHOICE AND DEVELOPMENT