Life/Career Renewal: An Intervention for Vocational and Other Life Transitions

Super (1990) defined the life-space as “the constellation of positions occupied and roles played by a person” (p. 2181, and stated that these positions and roles combine to create the individual’s career. Career counseling can be thought of as the process by which counselors help people to explore the meanings of these roles, implement their selfconcepts within these roles, and balance them in a way which is satisfying to the individual. People often need help with these tasks when external changes occur in their lives, for example, being laid off from a job, or when internal changes occur, such as moving into the disengagement stage in the worker role during mid-life due to dissatisfaction with one’s vocational choice. While these examples illustrate external and internal changes affecting the worker roIe, specifically, it is important to note that similar types of transitions can occur in any of the life roles which Super considered to be part of our “careers.” Much has been written regarding the needs of adults who are in transition. Heppner, Multon, and Johnston (1994) addressed the need for specific psychological resources to cope effectively with career transitions. Several writers have highlighted the importance of clarifying values (e.g., Brown, 1995; Hagberg & Leider, 1978). Others have emphasized issues of purpose in life (Riverin-Simard, 1988), present and future planning (Bejian & Salomone, 19951, and a focus on all life roles, not just work roles (Savickas, 1993). These emphases are broader than the content of any specific life transition. For example, it is important to be aware of life values

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