Career and vocational guidance have existed since the early 20th century, and has centered primarily around interest inventories and ways to match individuals to jobs. Savickas discusses and reviews this history as he presents his 21st century theory of career counseling: a therapeutic form completely different from traditional vocational guidance or career education. Rather than assuming that a person's interests and traits exist a priori and are ready to be matched to a particular career, this narrative approach recognizes the power of the individual to construct their own career story. In this book, Savickas explores his practical approach: its theory, history, therapy process, primary change mechanisms, and the empirical basis for its effectiveness. This essential primer, amply illustrated with case examples featuring diverse clients, is perfect for graduate students studying theories of therapy and counseling, as well as for seasoned practitioners interested in understanding this approach and how it might be used in their practice.