Action: a bridge between vocational and mental health counselling*. Issue 5 (20th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valach, Ladislav; Young, Richard A.
• Is Part Of: British journal of guidance & counselling. Volume 45:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 519
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2017-10-20
• Subjects: Vocational counselling -- mental health counselling -- contextual action theory -- self-confrontation interview; Educational counseling -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Vocational guidance -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 371.4
• DOI: 10.1080/03069885.2017.1370628
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9885

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A theory of goal-directed action is proposed as a conceptual link between vocational and mental health counselling. Originally emerging from the vocational counselling field, contextual action theory is presented as a critical conceptual link not only between mental health and occupational life but also between counselling practices in these domains. This specific application of goal-directed action to vocational and mental health counselling is addressed by describing counselling as goal-directed action, the five tasks of counselling it invites, and tools for supporting client goals, such as the self-confrontation interview.