Editors: Jennifer R. Curry, PhD, NCC & Jodi H. Manton, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC
Global discussion of mental health and psychosocial well-being as another “pandemic” has major implications for career development across the lifespan.
This new monograph provides an overview of the intersection of mental health and career development. Career theories and evidence-based practices are highlighted throughout and are grounded in a strengths-based and holistic approach. This monograph aims to reduce the focus on pathologizing mental health, particularly in work settings, while highlighting applicable career development theories, building client resiliency, promoting career success skills, and self-advocacy.
The monograph begins with an exploration of resiliency through career counseling and ethical considerations. The remaining chapters are organized according to their place in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (5th ed., text revision; DSM-5-TR), focusing on disorders that will be most relevant for career practitioners based on prevalence rates and impact on career and work functioning. Each chapter includes an overview of the diagnostic category, including common symptom presentations and prevalence rates, followed by impacts on career development and evidence-based interventions for career counselors. There is also a case example and discussion questions included with each chapter to help readers further consider the applications of the material in practice.
This monograph aims to bridge the gap between mental health and career development and provide practical strategies to assist career practitioners, educators and students in learning and utilizing a holistic and culturally responsive approach to their work.
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TESTIMONIALS:
Recent surveys have highlighted how prevalent and impactful mental health conditions are in the workplace. Curry and Manton’s (Eds.), The Mental Health and Career Development Nexus: A Framework for the Role and Function of Career Practitioners is a must read for career counseling professionals and students interested in promoting career development when working with clients with a range of mental health concerns. Each chapter addresses a common mental health condition encountered in the workplace and then discusses relevant career development models and interventions. A real strength of the monograph is the well-explicated case studies at the end of each chapter that illustrate how the career practitioner may implement these interventions. This well-written monograph will serve as an indispensable resource that is not only easily accessible but also applicable in everyday practice.
Gary G. Gintner, Ph.D., LPC-S
Retired Professor and Employee Assistance Program Consultant
Former President of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
Nationally recognized trainer on the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM)
Ever since Sigmund Freud linked the centrality of work and love in his 1930 book, Civilization and its Discontents, the connection between career development and mental health has been clear. This NCDA monograph arrives as a valuable and timely resource for navigating the increasingly blurred lines between professional success and psychological well-being. By providing a clear framework for the evolving role of career practitioners, editors Curry and Manton address the urgent salience of mental health in today’s high-pressure workplace, where depression, anxiety and other conditions plague individuals and organizations at alarming rates. This work provides an essential roadmap for any career professional seeking a deeper understanding of these challenging dynamics. What’s more, this publication offers meaningful insights on how to foster resilience in our clients while supporting the development of holistic and supportive organizations.
Barbara H. Suddarth, PhD, PCC, MCC
Executive Director, Career Development Alliance
Licensed Psychologist; Post-Doctoral Diploma, Clinical Program on Psychotherapy Practice,
Washington School of Psychiatry
EDITORS:
Jennifer R. Curry, PhD, NCC, is the Vira Franklin and James R. Eagles Endowed Professor in the Counselor Education program at Louisiana State University. Her scholarship centers on career and college readiness, mental health, and equity across the K–20 STEM pipeline, particularly for low-income and underrecognized populations. A former elementary, middle, and high school counselor, she is the author or editor of six books on career development and school counseling. Dr. Curry is a national and international consultant and a recipient of numerous awards recognizing her research, advocacy, and service.
Jodi H. Manton, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Louisiana State University, working with students in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling. A Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and former school counselor, she has practiced in inpatient, community, and educational settings. Dr. Manton owns a private practice where she integrates humanistic-existential and trauma-informed approaches in her work with adolescents and adults addressing trauma, anxiety, depression, and identity concerns. Her professional interests include counselor wellness, trauma-informed care, identity development, and culturally responsive practice across the lifespan, as well as supervision, advocacy, and counselor education.
APA Style (7th ed.) reference citation for this book:
Curry, J. R., & Manton, J. H. (2026). The mental health and career development nexus: A framework for the role and function of career practitioners. National Career Development Association.
Stock#: 907 Mfr#: ISBN: 978-1885333-72-8