ABSTRACT
Constructivist approaches appear to offer alternate ways to understand the diverse meanings given to behaviour and action. Constructivist, interpretive, narrative and biographical approaches emphasise the need to explore 'meaning' and perceptions of 'truth' from the client's worldview. A core condition of constructivist approaches includes listening to the client's story. Peavy's SocioDynamic model moves away from reductionist interventions designed to adapt behaviour to the majority norm, to an environment that is 'co-operative, hopeful, and clarifying'. The aim of constructivist approaches is to locate help in the wider context of the individual's life, interests and desires, and to avoid myopic views of what is possible. Thus, an exploration of Foucault's ideas can help us to question some of the 'taken-for-granted' assumptions that operate in guidance and counselling. In gaining ground in the field of practice, constructivist approaches offer real potential to develop career counselling practice for the demands of a postmodern society, with all its risks and uncertainties.
