Skip to main content

Current Counseling Issues from the Perspective of Contextual Action Theory

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Counseling and Action

Abstract

The first chapter of this volume outlined a number of relevant issues currently considered in counseling theory and practice. In Chaps. 2–8, several authors presented their understanding of and responses to these issues. In the following chapter the stance of the contextual action theory in regard to these issues is outlined. In particular, commonalities and differences between contextual action and the following approaches are highlighted: the relational view addressed by Flum, the constructionist stance embodied by Savickas, the relevance of narrative and culture, the identity and self-construction issues proposed by Guichard and Pouyard, the systemic approach described by Patton, the conceptualization mirroring human values that Richardson represents, intentionality and volitional understanding summarized by Broonen, the issue of culture, and the integration of emotional processes central to Watson’s approach. This chapter shows how contextual action theory enmeshes and interweaves these concerns and innovative practices into a conceptual and intervention system that provides a new solution to the questions posed by these perspectives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adler, J. M. (2012). Living into the story: Agency and coherence in a longitudinal study of narrative identity development and mental health over the course of psychotherapy. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 367–389. doi:10.1037/a0025289.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Austin, J. T., & Vancouver, J. B. (1996). Goal constructs in psychology: Structure, process, and content. Psychological Bulletin, 120, 338–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayne, T., & Levy, N. (2006). The feeling of doing: Deconstructing the phenomenology of agency. In N. Sebanz & W. Prinz (Eds.), Disorders of volition (pp. 49–68). Cambridge: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, P. L., & Luckman, T. (1966). The social construction of reality. New York: Irvington Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergum, V., & Dossetor, J. (2005). Relational ethics: The full meaning of respect. Hagerstown: University Publishing Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, J. W. (2002). Conceptual approaches to acculturation. In K. M. Chun, P. B. Organista, & G. Marin (Eds.), Acculturation: Advances in theory, measurement, and applied research (pp. 17–37). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bledsoe, D., & Owens, E. (2011). Multi-cultural issues in career development. In J. Samide, J. Patrick, & G. T. Eliason (Eds.), Career development in higher education: Research in career development (pp. 253–274). Charlotte: Information Age Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, D. (2009). The phenomenological method of Gestalt therapy: Revisiting Husserl to discover the “essence” of Gestalt therapy. Gestalt Review, 13, 277–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blustein, D. L., Schultheiss, D. E. P., & Flum, H. (2004). Toward a relational perspective of the psychology of careers and working: A social constructionist analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 64, 423–440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradford, G. K. (2009). Revisioning diagnosis: A contemplative phenomenological approach. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 41, 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broonen, J.-P. (2010). Des intentions aux actes: La volition en conseil en orientation. [From intentions to actions: Volition in vocational counselling]. Orientation Scolaire et Professionnelle, 39, 137–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. (2003). Career information, career counseling, and career development (8th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. P. (1995a). Group counseling in a different cultural context: Several primary issues in dealing with Chinese clients. Group, 19, 45–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. P. (1995b). Counseling applications of RET in a Chinese cultural context. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 13, 117–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. P. (1998). A holistic approach to worklife dynamics: Morita philosophy-based career counselling. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 11, 239–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. P. (2002). Integrating action theory and human agency in career development. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 36(2), 121–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. P. (2003). Integrating perspectives in career development theory and practice. Career Development Quarterly, 51, 203–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. P. (2004). Transforming career in cross-cultural transition: The experience of non-Western culture counsellor trainees. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 17, 137–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. P. (2006). Strengthening career human agency. Journal of Counseling & Development, 84, 131–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collin, A., & Guichard, J. (2011). Constructing self in career theory and counseling interventions. In P. J. Hartung & L. M. Subich (Eds.), Developing self in work and career: Concepts, cases, and contexts (pp. 89–106). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collin, A. (1990). Mid-life career change research. In R. A. Young & W. A. Borgen (Eds.), Methodological approaches to the study of career (pp. 197–220). New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collin, A., & Young, R. A. (1986). New directions for theories of career. Human Relations, 39, 837–853.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collin, A., & Young, R. A. (Eds.). (2000). The future of career. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, S., & Arthur, N. (2010). Culture-infused counselling: A model for developing multicultural competence. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 23, 217–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, M., Watson, J. C., & Hoelldampf, D. (Eds.). (2010). Person centered and experiential therapies work: A review of the research on counselling, psychotherapy and related practices. Ross on Wye: PCCS Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cottone, R. R. (2004). Displacing the psychology of the individual in ethical decision-making: The social constructivism model. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 38, 5–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Cranach, M., & Harré, R. (Eds.). (1982). The analysis of action. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Cranach, M., Kalbermatten, U., Indermuehle, K., & Gugler, B. (1982). Goal-directed action. (M. Turton, Trans.). London: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Cranach, M., Ochsenbein, G., & Valach, L. (1986). The group as a self active system: Outline of a theory of a group action. European Journal of Social Psychology, 16, 193–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dachler, H. P., & Hoskin, D.-M. (1995). The primacy of relations in socially constructing organizational realities. In D.-M. Hoskin, H. P. Dachler, & K. J. Gergen (Eds.), Management and organizations: Relational alternatives to individualism (pp. 1–21). Aldershot: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Druskat, V. U., & Wolff, S. B. (2001). Group emotional intelligence and its influence in group effectiveness. In C. Cherniss & D. Goleman (Eds.), The emotional intelligent workplace: How to select for, measure and improve emotional intelligence in individuals, groups, and organizations (pp. 132–155). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyer, B., Pizzorno, M. C., Qu, K., Valach, L., Marshall, S. K., & Young, R. A. (2010). Unconscious processes in a career counselling case: An action-theoretical perspective. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 38, 341–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekman, P., & Friesen, W. (1971). Constants across cultures in the face and emotion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 17, 124–129.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Emirbayer, M. (1997). Manifesto for a relational sociology. American Journal of Sociology, 103, 281–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Felder, A. J., & Robbins, B. D. (2011). A cultural-existential approach to therapy: Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology of embodiment and its implications for practice. Theory & Psychology, 21, 355–376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Figley, C. R. (Ed.). (1995). Compassion fatigue: Secondary traumatic stress disorders from treating the traumatized. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frese, M., & Sabini, J. (Eds.). (1991). Goal directed behavior: The concept of action in psychology. Hillsdale: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs, T. (2008). Das Gehirn-ein Beziehungsorgan [Brain—a relational organ]. Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geller, S., Greenberg, L. S., & Watson, J. C. (2010). Therapeutic presence: The development of a measure. Psychotherapy Research, 20, 599–610.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gergen, K. J. (1994). Realities and relationships. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Glasersfeld, E. (1987). The construction of knowledge: Contributions to conceptual semantics. Salinas: Intersystems Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer, P. M. (1993). Goal achievement: The role of intentions. In W. Stroebe & M. Hewstone (Eds.), European review of social psychology (Vol. 4, pp. 141–185). Chicester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer, P. M. (1996). The volitional benefits of planning. In P. M. Gollwitzer & J. A. Bargh (Eds.), The psychology of action: Linking cognition and motivation to behavior (pp. 287–312). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer, P. M. (1999). Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans. American Psychologist, 54, 493–503.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer, P. M., & Bargh, J. A. (Eds.). (1996). The psychology of action: Linking cognition and motivation to behavior. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta-analysis of effects and processes. In M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 38, pp. 69–119). San Diego: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, L. S. (2002). Emotion -focused therapy: Coaching clients to work through their feelings. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, L. S., & Webster, M. (1982). Resolving decisional conflict by gestalt two-chair dialogue: Relating process to outcome. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 29, 468–477.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, L. S., Watson, J. C., & Lietaer, G. (Eds.). (1998). Handbook of experiential psychotherapy. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guichard, J. (2003). Within which theoretical frameworks can personal and career development interventions be developed? The question of theoretical references for personal and career development interventions. Paper to the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance Bern Congress, September 3–6, 2003.. Accessed 7 May 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guichard, J. (2005). Life-long self-construction. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 5, 111–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guichard, J. (2009). Self-constructing. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75, 251–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guichard, J., & Dumora, B. (2008). A constructivist approach to ethically grounded vocational development interventions for young people. In J. A. Athanasou & R. Van Esbroeck (Eds.), International handbook of career guidance (pp. 187–208). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guichard, J., & Lenz, J. (2005). Career theory from an international perspective. Career Development Quarterly, 54, 17–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gysin-Maillard, A., & Michel, K. (2013). Kurztherapie nach Suizidversuch [Brief therapy after a suicide attempt]. Bern: Verlag Hans Huber.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hacker, W. (1994). Action theory and occupational psychology. Review of German empirical research since 1987. The German Journal of Psychology, 18, 91–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havel, V. (1990). Disturbing the peace: A conversation with Karel Hvizdala (P. Wilson, trans.). New York: Vintage Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Follette, V. M., & Linehan, M. M. (Eds.). (2004). Mindfulness and acceptance. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heider, F. (1958). The psychology of interpersonal relations. Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hersch, E. L. (2011). Temporality and motivation: A phenomenological approach to psychotherapy. Existential Analysis, 22, 96–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horvath, A. O., & Greenberg, L. S. (Eds.). (1994). The working alliance: Theory, research, and practice. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, G. S. (1984). A modest proposal for a revision of strategies for counseling research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 31, 430–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, J. (Ed.). (2007). Handbook of emotion regulation. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, R. J., & Prizmic, Z. (2004). Affect regulation. In R. F. Baumeister & K. D. Vohs (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation (pp. 40–61). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a unifying social cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45, 79–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leong, F. T. L. (2007). Cultural accommodation as method and metaphor. American Psychologist, 62, 916–927.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, M., Haviland-Jones, J. M., & Barrett, L. F. (Eds.). (2008). Handbook of emotions (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lilgendahl, J. P., & McAdams, D. P. (2011). Constructing stories of self‐growth: How individual differences in patterns of autobiographical reasoning relate to well‐being in midlife. Journal of Personality, 79, 391–428.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linehan, M. (1987). Dialectical behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder: Theory and method. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 51, 261–276.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linehan, M., Comtois, K., Murray, A., Brown, M., Gallop, R., Heard, H., et al. (2006). Two-year randomized controlled trial and follow-up of dialectical behavior therapy vs therapy by experts for suicidal behaviors and borderline personality disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63, 757–766.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Livingstone, A. G., Spears, R., Manstead, A. S. R., Bruder, M., & Shepherd, L. (2011). We feel, therefore we are: Emotion as a basis for self-categorization and social action. Emotion (Washington, D. C.), 11, 754–767.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackie, D. M., Devos, T., & Smith, E. R. (2000). Intergroup emotions: Explaining offensive action tendencies in an intergroup context. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79, 602–616.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Manen, M. (1990). Researching lived experience. London: Althouse Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, S. M., Young, R. A., & Domene, J. F. (2006). Possible selves as joint projects. In J. Kerpelman & K. Dunkel (Eds.), Possible selves: Theory, research, and application (pp. 141–161). Hauppauge: Nova Science Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, S. M., Young, R. A., Stevens, A., Spence, W., Deyell, S., & Easterbrook, A. (2011). Adolescent career development in urban-residing Aboriginal families in Canada. Career Development Quarterly, 59, 539–558.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAdams, D. P. (1996). Personality, modernity, and the storied self: A contemporary framework for studying persons. Psychological Inquiry, 7, 295–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAdams, D. P. (2001). The psychology of life stories. Review of General Psychology, 5, 100–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, M., Patton, W., & Watson, M. (2005a). My system of career influences. Camberwell: ACER Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, M., Patton, W., & Watson, M. (2005b). My system of career influences (MSCI): Facilitators’ guide. Camberwell: ACER Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merleau-Ponty, M. (1982–1983). The experience of others (1951–1952). Review of Existential Psychology & Psychiatry, 18, 33–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metzinger, T., & Gallese, V. (2003). The emergence of a shared action ontology: Building blocks for a theory. Consciousness and Cognition, 12, 549–571.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Michel, K., & Valach, L. (2010). The narrative interview with the suicidal patient. In K. Michel & D. A. Jobes (Eds.), Building a therapeutic alliance with the suicidal patient (pp. 63–80). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morsella, E., Bargh, J. A., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (Eds.). (2009). Oxford handbook of human action. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niles, S. G., & Harris-Bowlsbey, J. A. (2005). Career development interventions in the 21st century. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Northoff, G. (2009). What are the subjective processes in our brain? Empirical and ethical implications of a relational concept of the brain. American Journal of Bioethics-Neuroscience, 9, 27–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nykliček, I., Vingerhoets, A., & Zeelenberg, M. (Eds.). (2011). Emotion regulation and well-being. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ochsner, K. N., Ray, R. R., Hughes, B., McRae, K., Cooper, J. C., Weber, J., Gabrieli, J. D. E., & Gross, J. J. (2009). Bottom-up and top-down processes in emotion generation: Common and distinct neural mechanisms. Psychological Science, 20, 1322–1331.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Park, S. H., Brody, L. R., & Wilson, V. R. (2008). Social sharing of emotional experiences in Asian American and European American women. Cognition and Emotion, 22, 802–814.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton, W. A. (2007). Connecting relational theory and the systems theory framework: Individuals and their systems. Australian Journal of Career Development, 16, 38–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton, W., & McMahon, M. (1999). Career development and systems theory: A new relationship. Belmont: Thomson Brooks/Cole.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton, W., & McMahon, M. (2006a). Career development and systems theory: Connecting theory and practice. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton, W., & McMahon, M. (2006b). The Systems Theory Framework of career development and counselling: Connecting theory and practice. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 28, 153–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, P. B., Draguns, J. G., Lonner, W. J., & Trimble, J. E. (2008). Counseling across cultures (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polkinghorne, D. (1989). Phenomenological research methods. In R. S. Valle & S. Hailing (Eds.), Existential-phenomenological perspectives in psychology (pp. 41–60). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polkinghorne, D. E. (2005). Language and meaning: Data collection in qualitative research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 137–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powers, W. T. (1989). Living control systems: Selected papers of William T. Powers. Gravel Switch: Control Systems Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Powers, W. T. (1992). Living control systems II: Selected papers of William T. Powers. Gravel Switch: Control Systems Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., & Norcross, J. C. (2010). Systems of psychotherapy. Belmont: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M. S. (1993). Work in people’s lives: A new location for counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 40, 425–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M. S. (1994a). Agency/empowerment in clinical practice. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 14, 40–49. doi:10.1037/h0091133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M. S. (1994b). From agency/empowerment to embodied empowerment. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 14, 79–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M. S. (2000). A new perspective for counselors: From career ideologies to empowerment through work and relationships practices. In A. Collin & R. A. Young (Eds.), The future of career (pp. 197–211). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M. S. (2001). New perspectives for counseling psychologists. The Counseling Psychologist, 29, 271–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M. S. (2002). A metaperspective for counseling practice: A response to the challenge of contextualism. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 61, 407–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M. S. (2004). The emergence of new intentions in subjective experience: A s social/personal constructionist and relational understanding. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 64, 485–498.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M. S. (2009). Another way to think about the work we do: Counselling for work and relationship. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 9, 75–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, M. S. (2012). Counseling for work and relationship. The Counseling Psychologist, 40, 190–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. L. (2002). Career construction: A developmental theory of vocational behavior. In D. Brown (Ed.), Career choice and development (4th ed., pp. 149–205). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. L. (2011). Career counseling. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. L. (2013). The 2012 Leona Tyler Award address: Constructing careers-actors, agents, and authors. The Counseling Psychologist, 41(4), 648–662.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savickas, M. L., Nota, L., Rossier, J., Dauwalder, J.-P., Duarte, M. E., Guichard, J., Soresi, S., Van Esbroeck, R., & van Vianen, A. E. M. (2009). Life designing: A paradigm for career construction in the 21st century. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75, 239–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schafer, R. (1976). A new language for psychoanalysis. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoggen, P. (1989). Behavior settings: A revision and extension of Roger G. Barker’s ecological psychology. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultheiss, D. E. P. (2003). A relational approach to career counseling: Theoretical integration and practical application. Journal of Counseling and Development, 81, 301–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultheiss, D. E. P. (2007). The emergence of a relational cultural paradigm for vocational psychology. International Journal of Educational and Vocational Guidance, 7, 191–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serino, A., De Filippo, L., Casavecchia, C., Coccia, M., Shiffrar, M., & Làdavas, E. (2010). Lesions to the motor system affect action perception. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 22, 413–426. doi:10.1162/jocn.2009.21206.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, R. D. (2010). The mindfulness solution: Everyday practices for everyday problems. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slife, B. D. (2004). Taking practice seriously: Toward a relational ontology. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 24, 157–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, L. (2005). Psychotherapy, classism, and the poor: Conspicuous by their absence. American Psychologist, 60(7), 687–696. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.60.7.687.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, K. K., & Crandell, S. D. (1984). Exploring collective emotion. American Behavioral Scientist, 27, 813–828.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, J., Sandhu, D. S., & Chen, C. P. (2008). Case incident 8: Identity confusion. In N. Arthur & P. Pedersen (Eds.), Case incidents in counseling for international transitions (pp. 113–130). Alexandria: American Counseling Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, J., Gapenne, O., & Di Paolo, E. A. (Eds.). (2010). Enaction: Toward a new paradigm for cognitive science. Cambridge: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokols, D., & Altman, I. (Eds.). (1987). Handbook of environmental psychology. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thayer-Bacon, B. J. (1997). The nurturing of a relational epistemology. 
Educational Theory, 47, 239–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valach, L., Young, R. A., & Lynam, M. J. (2002). Action theory: A primer for applied research in the social sciences. Westport: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valach, L., Young, R. A., & Michel, K. (2010). Understanding suicide as an action. In K. Michel & D. A. Jobes (Eds.), Building a therapeutic alliance with the suicidal patient (pp. 129–148). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vallacher, R. R., & Wegner, D. M. (1987). What do people think they’re doing? Action identification and human behavior. Psychological Review, 94, 3–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vallacher, R. R., & Wegner, D. M. (1985). A theory of action identification. Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J. C. (2010a). Case formulation in EFT. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 20, 89–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J. C. (2010b). A case of depression: Introducing David. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 20, 52–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J. C., Goldman, R. N., & Greenberg, L. S. (2007). Case-studies in the experiential treatment of depression: A comparison of good and bad outcome. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, J. C., McMullen, E., Prosser, M., & Bedard, D. (in-press). The relationship of pretreatment level of affect regulation to in-session level of emotional processing in process experiential and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Psychotherapy Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wertz, F. J. (2005). Phenomenological research methods for counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 167–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittgenstein, L. (1953/2001). Philosophical investigations. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woike, B., & Polo, M. (2001). Motive-related memories: Content, structure, and affect. Journal of Personality, 69, 391–415.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A. (1984). Vocation as relationship. Counseling and Values, 28, 169–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A., & Collin, A. (Eds.). (2004). Constructivism, social constructionism and career. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 64(3), 373–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A., & Domene, J. F. (2012). Creating a research agenda in career counselling: The place of action theory. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 40, 15–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A., & Valach, L. (2004). The construction of career through goal-directed action. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 64, 499–514.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A., Paseluikho, M. A., & Valach, L. (1997). The role of emotion in the construction of career in parent-adolescent conversation. Journal of Counseling and Development, 76, 36–44. doi:org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1997.tb02374.x.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A., Valach, L., Ball, J., Paseluikho, M. A., Wong, Y. S., DeVries, R. J., MacLean, H., & Turkel, H. (2001). Career development as a family project. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48, 190–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A., Valach, L., & Domene, J. (2005). Qualitative action-project methodology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 215–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, R. A., Marshall, S. K., Valach, L., Domene, J., Graham, M. D., & Zaidman-Zait, A. (2011). Transition to adulthood: Action, projects, and counseling. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ladislav Valach .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Valach, L., Young, R., Domene, J. (2015). Current Counseling Issues from the Perspective of Contextual Action Theory. In: Young, R., Domene, J., Valach, L. (eds) Counseling and Action. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0773-1_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics