Narrative career counselling: A tension between potential, appeal, and proof. Introduction to the special issue

Abstract

Narrative career counselling is becoming ubiquitous as its inherent appeal has seen it become more widely adopted in practice. A tension between its potential, popular appeal and proof has emerged. It is over 40 years since the need for a change in direction in theory and practice was first flagged, and it is timely to reflect on the past, present and future stories of narrative career counselling. This article considers the nature and purpose of narrative, the foundation for narrative approaches to career counselling. It overviews the relationship between narrative and identity, the philosophical underpinnings of narrative career counselling, the influence of narrative on career counselling and critiques of narrative career counselling. The article concludes that the potential and popular appeal of narrative career counselling have been realised, but that further supporting proof is needed. A possible future story could see researchers and practitioners working together more closely to build the evidence base for and stimulate theory development about narrative career counselling.