EDG 5004 career development for special populations 10.pptx

Introduction To Counseling

ISSUES IN CAREER COUNSELINGPEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, PEOPLE WHO ARE CULTURALLY DIFFERENT, AND LATE ENTRANTS INTO THE WORK FORCEClient Groups With Special NeedsThese groups include:

People who have disabilities or who are disadvantaged (physical or mental disabilities, language barriers, or are educationally or economically disadvantaged).

Cultural minorities (different races, ethnicities, religions or sexual orientations).2People who delayed entry into the traditional workforce (homemakers, military personnel).

People who want to change careers in midlife or who face layoffs.

Older people who choose to remain working or return to the workforce.

Client Groups With Special NeedsClients Who Are Economically Disadvantaged

Many jobs barely provide subsistence wages:

Usually this group includes: those with limited education and those in a geographically deprived area (e.g. the rural poor), those that have been chronically poor, the underemployed, and the unemployed.

4This group can be helped by providing: access to basic education, provision of personal or career counseling, information about jobs, and access to vocational training and placement services.

Counselors can help most, by helping clients obtain training and other services to help them compete in the job world.

Client Groups With Special NeedsClients Who Are Culturally Different

Career counselors must take into consideration a clients worldview, values, level of acculturation and stage of racial identity development.

Some issues affecting these groups are: language barriers, histories of hardship, discrimination and bias.

6Counselors need to understand the culture of their clients as well as their time orientation, structure of their social relationships and ways of problem-solving.

Individuals however, should not be stereotyped according to broad group characteristics. There is wide variation even within cultural groups.

Client Groups With Special NeedsWhere do clients fall on this continuum and how might this affect them in their search for a career?

Internal Locus of Control

External Locus of ControlExternal Locus of Internal Locus ofResponsibility Responsibility

Represents mostAnglo-Saxon Americans8Counseling Special PopulationsCounseling The Older Adult

As society ages, more counselors will be needed to work with those 65 years or older.

It is estimated that by the year 2020, this population will encompass 50 million of the American population.

Older adults will vary according to: age, sex, marital status, geographic distribution, race and ethnicity, retirement, employment and income status as well as physical and mental health.

Counseling Special PopulationsProblems and Concerns of the Older Adult

Loss of work role identity.

Increased amount of leisure time.

Decreased financial support.

Loss of significant other(s).

Geographic relocation.

Increased loneliness and separation.Peer and family restructuring.

Increased physiologic disorders.

Increased amount of dependence.

Counseling Special PopulationsCounseling Principles for the Older Adult

Enhancement of dignity and worth.

Counselors need to sell the positive benefits of counseling.

Counselors need to attend to the physical environment.

The counselor is often an advocate of the client.

Goals should be short-term and clear-cut

Counseling Special PopulationsCounseling Principles for the Older Adult (continued)

Counselors need to attend to dependence/independence issues.

Counselors need to attend to the age differential.

Counselors need to attend to the client's place in history.

Counselors need to diagnosis carefully with this population.

Counseling Special PopulationsGoals For Counseling for the Older Adult

To decrease anxiety and depression.To reduce confusion and loss of contact with reality.

To increase socialization and improve interpersonal relationships.

To improve behavior within institutions.

To cope with crisis and transitional stress.

To become more accepting of self and the aging process.

Counseling Special PopulationsCounseling Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Clients

There are at least 20 25 million gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals in the United States, or 10% - 15% of the adult population.

There is no typical gay, lesbian or bisexual person. Individuals come from different races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and cultures.

There are seven variables of sexual orientation: sexual attraction, sexual behavior, sexual fantasies, emotional preference, social preference, lifestyle, and self-identification.

Copyright Allyn & Bacon 2004

Counseling Special PopulationsProblems Faced by Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Clients

Cultural Homophobia

Cultural Heterosexism

Internalized Homophobia

Homophobia and Heterosexism in Counselors

Counseling Special PopulationsIdentity Development of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Clients

Identity confusion

Identity conflict

Identity denial

Community identity

Coming out or not

Counseling Special PopulationsSpecial Situations in Counseling for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Clients

Violence in Lesbian and Gay Male Couples

Gay and Lesbian Families

Religious Issues

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

AIDS

Counseling Special PopulationsSpecial Situations in Counseling for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Clients (continued)

Loneliness

Guilt

Depression

Suicide

Counseling Special PopulationsCounseling Ethnic Minority Clients

Ethnic minority clients are members of cultural groups who have been marginalized by society.

There is no typical member of any one group. There is diversity within groups also.

Worldview, culture, and acculturation are important considerations.

Counseling Special PopulationsCounselor Training for Counseling Ethnic Minorities

Multicultural competencies are now expected.

Facilitation of growth and awareness of cultural differences.

Facilitation of growth and awareness of counselor bias.

Adoption of a culture-centered counseling theory.

Supervision and evaluation.

Emphasis on the crossed dyads of racial identity development between counselor and client.

Ethics

Counseling Special PopulationsMulticultural Counseling Practices

Assessment Perspectives: Are assessment tools culturally sensitive and appropriate?

Culturally-Specific Inventories: It is important to assess clients from their own frame of reference.

Clinical Research Issues: Most theories and assessment instruments were developed with white, middle class subjects as models.

Counseling Special PopulationsFuture Directions of Multicultural Counseling

Within Group Application: Understanding the differences within ethnic groups (e.g. The Hispanic group is composed of Cubans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans etc.)

Culture-Centered Interventions: Traditional methods of healing within the clients community needs to be considered.

Other Nontraditional Populations: Diversity does not just encompass race and ethnicity but can include the poor, the aged, religion etc.

Ethical Issues: Is cultural ineffectiveness unethical? Should it or shouldnt it be?

Career Counseling the DisabledWhy Is This Needed?

Effective and responsive career counseling can significantly impact and empower a person with a disability at the level of choices, inclusion and independence.

If a person with a disability has choices, is included and has independence, he or she can have a satisfying and rewarding career.

25Career Counseling the DisabledCurrent Issues that Effect Employment and Career Possibilities

Disabilities and capabilities should be carefully considered when assisting a person with a disability in a search for a meaningful career.

Due to globalization, increased technology and shifts in population it is more difficult, rather than less difficult, for people with disabilities to find jobs.

Many disabilities hinder development of marketable job skills which can lead to lower income, underemployment and lower self-esteem.

People with disabilities often experience (a) limitations in early life experiences, (b) difficulty in making decisions, (c) a negative worker self-concept.


People with disabilities are often limited in the types and amounts of experiences they are allowed to have. They are often specifically restricted in:

Career opportunities.Social experiences.

This lack of experience can lead to:

Career development problems.Failure to develop a consistent and differentiated personality.Failure to develop a career identity.


Many people with disabilities have decisions made for them and do not have an opportunity to become experienced in the decision making process.

Many do not get the opportunity to test their own competencies.

Many do not receive information that will aid in a realistic perception of what opportunities might be available to them.


Social attitudes toward disabilities shapes the opportunities and therefore the life of a person with a disability.

Long term exposure to prejudice, negative attitudes and paternalism may fundamentally undercut a persons self-esteem and sense of self-efficacy.

Classification Processes: Basically comes from the assumption that people with disabilities are less human and less capable. These are used to make decisions regarding services which are made largely by people who do not have a disability.

29Career Counseling the DisabledLegislation Affecting People with Disabilities

Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990

Removes barriers to employment, public buildings and transportation, state and local government services.

It guarantees equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination in all aspects of the employment process.

30Career Counseling the DisabledLegislation Affecting the Disabled

1992 Rehabilitation Act Amendments

Client's have choice in the service provision process.

Clients have power in the selection of a vocational goal.

Vocational Rehabilitation counselors must consider an individuals strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, and capabilities when assisting the client in career exploration.

The goal is empowerment, independence and self-determination.

31Career Counseling the DisabledLegislation Affecting the Disabled

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999

Designed to increase employment opportunities for individuals who are on Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.

Protects people from losing their health benefits if they work.

Gives the client choice in the selection of employment related rehabilitation service providers.

32Career Counseling the DisabledThe Empowerment Perspective

People with disabilities should have the same degree of power and control over their lives as people without disabilities.

Each individual is worthy of respect ad dignity.

Each person should have equal opportunity to maximize his or her potential.

People as a rule strive to succeed and grow in a positive direction.

People should have the power and authority to make decisions that affect their own life.

33Career Counseling the DisabledThings to Remember When Career Counseling a Person with a Disability

Career counseling is something you do with the person, not do to or for the person.

Clients should be involved in the planning process and given relevant information that will aid them in making their own decisions.

Clients should weigh alternatives, gather information, and explore career options. The counselor can aid in this but should not do this for the client.

34Career Counseling the DisabledThe Counseling Process

Identify the clients career goals taking into consideration any specific issues or problems and whether or not the disability was pre- or post- career. This will shape a clients attitudes toward the type of work he or she will prefer.

Form a positive working alliance. Counselors emphasize the client's role and responsibilities including decision making, responsibility for his or her own actions and that he or she is an active participant in the counseling process.


Gather client information. This includes information about the clients specific situation including how he or she views himself or herself, his or her abilities, barriers, worldview, and decision-making style.

Understand and make hypotheses about the clients behavior. How does the information the client has presented relate to the clients career development process? Identify the specific disability variables that will affect outcomes for the client.


Take action. Treat your client in a age-appropriate manner and respect his or her values and beliefs. Client strengths should be utilized to the fullest. Use client resources (family, friends, spouses etc.) to the clients benefit.

Develop a career goal and plan of action. Decide on an appropriate intervention that will best include the client in the decision-making process, as well as, best assist the client in his or her goals.


Evaluate the working relationship. Was the client as involved as he or she should be in, (a) gathering information (b) generating ideas and alternative courses of action, (c) devising a plan for action?

Close the relationship. Establish a monitoring system to provide follow-up and support. Do NOT foster dependency but give the client freedom of choice. Teach clients where to find other community resources.

38Counseling Special PopulationsCounseling Clients with Disabilities

Themes in counseling could include: Independence vs. dependence; personal loss, coping with crisis, and/or maintaining employment.

Three phases of humans services are: prevention, intervention and postvention.

Prevention: The focus is on education or awareness of the likelihood of an activity or situation causing physical, or psychological problems.

Counseling Special PopulationsCounseling Clients with Disabilities (continued)

Intervention: Detection of signs of disease or critical situations followed by an intervention or strategy to reduce the level of harm.

Postvention: Helping the client cope with new limitations and help restore optimal functioning.

The ultimate rehabilitation goal is to improve a clients quality of life and enhance physical and psychosocial adjustment.

Counseling Special PopulationsCommon Problems for Clients with Disabilities

Lack of motivation.

Secondary gain.

Reluctance to participate in rehabilitation.

Depression and anxiety.

Poor body image.

Problems with self-concept.

Counseling Special PopulationsCommon Problems for Clients with Disabilities (continued)

Loss of control.

Loss of reward and pleasure.

Loss of independence (physical and economic).

Difficulty in adjusting to the disability.

Inability to access the environment.

Counseling Special PopulationsCommon Problems for Clients with Disabilities (continued)

Impaired social or vocational roles.

Changing family dynamics or relationships.

Disruption of social life.

Negative attitudes toward own disability.

Social rejection and social isolation.

Decreased sexual activity.

Counseling Special PopulationsAdaptive Tasks to Help Clients Cope With Disabilities

Help clients deal with pain and incapacitation.

Help clients deal with stress.

Help clients manage negative feelings.

Help clients regain a positive self-image.

Help clients gain a sense of competence.

Counseling Special PopulationsAdaptive Tasks to Help Clients Cope With Disabilities (continued)

Help clients change their lifestyle.

Help clients gain independence.

Help clients mange their relationships.

Prepare the client for an uncertain future if additional losses are likely.

General Issues Affecting Most People With Delayed Entry into the Work ForcePeople Who Change Careers Mid-Life (Voluntarily or Forced)

Lost dreams or dreams that went unfulfilled.

Age discrimination.

Emotional upheaval.

Lack of opportunity.

General Issues Affecting Most People With Delayed Entry into the Work ForceEx-Offenders

No skills

Discrimination

Isolation

Emotional and psychological problems stemming from imprisonment.

Continuing legal difficulties

General Issues Affecting Most People With Delayed Entry into the Work ForceFormer Military Personnel

Competition with younger individuals for jobs.

Work skills developed in the military may not apply to the civilian world.

After living in a highly structured world taking orders, some might have difficulty with decision making.

Adjustment difficulties.

General Issues Affecting Most People With Delayed Entry into the Work ForceWomen

Women often interrupt their careers to raise children.

Many are displaced homemakers.

Women often delay entry into the workforce until their children are grown.

Women generally earn only 2/3 of what men earn.

Women find work easily in the lower paying professions and these jobs also have skills that can be updated easily after absence from the workplace.

Discrimination and the glass ceiling.Lots of stress: multiple demands

General Issues Affecting Most People With Delayed Entry into the Work ForceCounselors can help women by:

Helping women to look at the consequences of career choices and how it may limit them.

Helping prepare women for discrimination in the workplace.

Making them aware of the Equal Employment Opportunity Legislation.

Making women aware of their rights about sexual harassment.

Helping women to modify their self-concept, build self-confidence.

Helping women to build support systems.

THANK YOUWASSALAM

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EDG 5004 career development for special populations 10.pptx