Psychology Question
Final Counseling Partner Paper (30 points):
You will be assigned a counseling partner with whom you will meet throughout the course to
apply theoretical constructs and techniques learned in class. At the end of the term, you are
required to submit a final 4- to 6-page paper in APA format* about your experience. The paper
should reflect graduate-level writing. Please include the following sections:
Part I (1-2 pages): Contextual information (6 points)
This section should include:
● a summary of key information you obtained during the initial career counseling intake
session (client background/contextual information), as well as any further insights gained
during your interactions throughout the course (if applicable).
● your client’s clearly stated career concern(s) and counseling goal(s). Note: You are not to
include the actual name of your client on any notes or in your final paper. Please use a
pseudonym to protect confidentiality. In addition, please delete all documentation at the
end of the term, after receiving your final course grade.
Part II (2-3 pages): Theoretical application & assessment integration (15 points)
Theoretical application: Conceptualize your client case from the perspective of at least one (but
no more than two) of the career development/counseling theories below.
a. Career construction theory (Savickas)
b. Happenstance learning theory (Krumboltz)
c. Social cognitive career theory (Lent, Brown, & Hackett)
d. Life span theories (Super and/or Gottfredson)
e. Transition theory (Schlossberg)
f. Theory of work adjustment (Dawis & Lofquist)
Include the following in your theoretical conceptualization:
● your rationale for selecting the theory in light of the client's presenting career
concern/goal and contextual factors (Tip: Imagine you were meeting one-on-one with
your clinical supervisor and are explaining why you chose this particular career
development theory to conceptualize your unique client’s case.)
● how you would modify or supplement the theory to make it more personally relevant for
your client
● any progress related to your client's career concern/goal since beginning your work
together. Please note: Progress does not mean a resolution but rather any overall
observations you have made between the intake and final session.
Assessment integration: Analyze which assessment(s) covered in class would be most
beneficial to your unique client's case conceptualization.
● Select at least one assessment to discuss.
● Justify your selection by explaining how the assessment aligns with the client's
presenting concern(s) and goal(s).
● Identify specific aspects of the assessment results that are particularly relevant to
understanding your client's situation and inform your case conceptualization.
References: You must include at least three peer-reviewed journal articles, referenced and
thoughtfully integrated within the paper, to support your case conceptualization. Journal articles
must be published within the last 15 years. You can access career development journal articles
At least one of your articles must be outside of the required readings. You are responsible for conducting additional
research.
Part III (minimum of 1 page): Personal reflection (6 points)
● Summarize your experience with this assignment. Include career development tools,
techniques, and/or resources you found more or less helpful and why, any
countertransference you experienced with your client, challenges you faced and/or
aspects you found confusing, what you did well, and what you would do differently.
*Please note: APA requirements include the following: Title page and page numbers, in-text
citations, and reference page. (3 points)