Career Development and Exploration in Art Therapy

Abstract

This research explains and implements creating a proposal with art therapy and career counseling for high school systems while working with adolescents. Within the literature review, existing research has demonstrated that career counseling yields benefits in professional planning and satisfaction. The adolescence stage has many expected developmental tasks, including choosing a career about individual traits and strengths. Research also addresses influences relating to adolescent needs that may help or hinder career choices. To manage educational settings and conditions, the research discusses benefits and limitations. While research has provided understanding for career counseling, limited research combines both art therapy and career development. Art therapy research has highlighted many goals about self-awareness and empowering individuals to understand themselves. Comparisons of research on art therapy and career counseling provide evidence and information to create a program proposal for individual students. Career theories such as Holland’s Theory of Vocational Choice and Social Cognitive Career Theory go in-depth on clients' needs in this process. These theories also tie in three themes explored from existing art therapy literature, including identity, self-efficacy, and self-esteem.