Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors’ Perceptions and Experiences of Career Theory Usage with Clients with a Criminal Record

Abstract

PURPOSETo explore Louisiana Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors’ (VRCs’) perceptions and experiences in utilizing career theories suggested by Easter and Gaertner (2009) when providing vocational guidance and career counseling to clients with a criminal record. Results from this research will provide insight to current and prospective VRCs in their practice and heighten educators’ and supervisors’ awareness of VRCs’ experience using career theories.METHODSSix Louisiana VRCs with at least two years of experience working with clients who had a criminal background were interviewed twice using heuristic inquiry. This qualitative method relies on researchers’ ability to discover and interpret their own experiences while exploring others’ experiences. The data were analyzed by performing both opened-coding and axial-coding.RESULTSFour major themes were revealed from this qualitative study: (1) expectations, (2) autonomy, (3) counselor development, and (4) fidelity to career theories. Upon further analysis, the emergent theory suggested incongruence of theory and practice amongst participating VRCs. Findings suggest VRCs working with clients with criminal backgrounds do not feel their academic training has prepared them to use career theories with this population effectively.CONCLUSIONWhen the participants apply the career theories suggested by Easter and Gaertner to clients with a criminal record, they perceive them to be ineffective. Therefore, this study serves as a baseline for additional research and suggests additional training may be necessary for VRCs who work with clients with a criminal background.