Applying a Constructive‐Developmental Approach to Issues of Sexual Orientation and Religion in Career Counseling

Abstract

An individual's constructive development, or system of meaning making, is relevant to the process of career counseling. A description of constructive-developmental theory and how that theory may be integrated in career counseling is provided, focusing on a case study that addresses issues of sexual orientation and religious identity. Methods for assessing constructive development are explored, and literature relating to the effectiveness of this approach is discussed. Guindon and Richmond (2005), in their review of recent professional literature related to career counseling and career development, reported an increasing focus on constructivist theories in the field. In this article, I outline an approach to career counseling that is informed by Kegan's (1982Kegan's ( , 1994) theory of constructive development. Kegan (1982Kegan ( , 1994 has conceptualized development as a series of emergences from embeddedness in one particular way of knowing and understanding self, others, and the world, to more complex and adaptive ways of making meaning. McAuliffe (1993) previously integrated Kegan's theory with career practice by asserting that the way an individual constructs meaning informs his or her ability to adaptively face career challenges. My intent is to provide a full-length case example that more clearly elucidates how the constructive-developmental approach may be applied to a specific career counseling case. First, I review literature related to the constructivedevelopmental approach. I then present a case of a client dealing with issues of sexual orientation and religious identity. In my response to this case study, constructive-developmental case conceptualization and assessment are discussed as important intervention elements. I close with a discussion of literature that relates to the effectiveness of the constructive-developmental approach. Review of Relevant LiteratureAccording to Kegan (1982Kegan ( , 1994, development is conceptualized as a process in which the individual constructs and reconstructs personal meanings over the life span. In this process, a series of meaning-making stages develop that frame the way the person views the self and encounters the world. As new information or experience challenges the individual's current meaning

Personal Transformation in RNs Who Recently Graduated From an RN to BSN Program

“…Attention to developmental context. Like many studies that recommended attention to developmental context in professional development programs (Drago-Severson, 2008;Helsing, Howell, Kegan, & Lahey, 2008;Lewis et al, 2005;Paul, 2008), this study suggests that educators of RNs be mindful of the principles of constructive development and the implications of age and development on the student learning experience. For instance, students in their early twenties are not unlike the traditional college-aged student entering college at the third order of development.…”

Clinicians’ Perspective of the Relational Processes for Family and Individual Development During the Mediation of Religious and Sexual Identity Disclosure

“…However, the question of exactly how these religious and homophobic attitudes influenced the counseling process was not explored. In addition, the extant literature that does include clinical perspectives is often limited to case studies (e.g., Glassgold, 2008;Haldeman, 2004;Tan & Yarhouse, 2010), individual therapists' perspectives (e.g., Mark, 2008;Paul, 2008), discussions of non-empirically tested methods of intervention (e.g., Bozard & Sanders, 2011;McGrady & McDonnell, 2006), and clinical populations of a single faith (e.g., Mark, 2008;Pope, Mobley, & Myers, 2010). Indeed, most studies on religion and psychotherapy in general, as well as in terms of the sexual minority population specifically, focus exclusively on issues of Christian religiosity (Worthington, Kurusu, McCullough, & Sandage, 1996;Rodriguez, 2010).…”

Beyond Traditional Pathways: Innovations in Career Counseling for the 21st Century

“…The integration of phenomenography in guidance and counseling research is explored by Kettunen & Tynjälä (2017), providing insights into the qualitatively different ways individuals experience specific phenomena through case examples (Kettunen & Tynjälä, 2017). Additionally, Paul (2008) offers a full-length case example to elucidate the application of the constructive-developmental approach in a specific career counseling case (Paul, 2008).…”