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Abstract
Career development is a complex process involving many aspects of the human experience. There appears to be a clear connection between career and mental health concerns, which present unique considerations for career practitioners. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) can significantly impact one's ability to effectively engage in career development. Managing this concern within the context of career assistance can be crucial in the provision of quality services. This article discusses the unique aspects of MDD, its impact on phases of career development assistance, applicable theories that encompass career and mental health concerns, and recommendations for career practitioners who encounter MDD in their clients.
Keywords: major depressive disorder, career development
There are several aspects of the human experience involved in career decision making. While career decision making occurs both with and without the guidance of trained career services professionals, various career theories and models exist to provide explanations of the decision-making process, and what factors should be included to effectively execute these decisions. Deliberate career decision making is dependent upon phases such as orientation, exploration, and commitment building (Gati & Asher, 2001). These stages typically begin with an individual's presenting concern, revolving around occupational or educational choices, usually with a variety of background factors impacting this decision.
According to Sampson, Reardon, Peterson, & Lenz (2004), career problems can hold more complexity than other problems for a variety of reasons, including reconciling one's own opinion of his or her best interest with that of loved ones or cultural groups, being overwhelmed with the amount of readily available career information, keeping up with economic change, the ambiguity of following different paths to attain a career goal, and the powerful emotions that can accompany this important problem solving process.
A diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) might further complicate the complex process of career decision making. Given the benefit of cognitive clarity defined as "the ability to objectively assess one's own strength and weaknesses and relate the assessment to environmental situations" (Brown & Brooks, 1991, p. 5), clients experiencing MDD may experience inherent obstacles to effective career decision-making. Individuals may look for resolutions to these often complicated decisions by enlisting the help of a career practitioner, who may use a multitude of methods...