Some Cornerstones in the Development of a Contextual Action Theory of Career and Counselling

Abstract: In this article we review several issues that contribute to the contextual action theory of career and counselling. This theory is based on the notion that career is constructed through the intentional goal-directed actions of persons and that counselling is a process that involves both action and career. The development of this theory has relied on several critical discussions, including vocation as relationship, hermeneutics and phenomenology, methodological diversity, interpretation and narrative, action theory, emotional processes, joint career development projects, the qualitative action-project method, including the self-confrontation interview, contextualizing career counselling, social constructionism and family projects. When considered together, these issues contribute to a substantial and integrated view of career and counselling.