- Series
- The guidance room
- The Guidance Room Petra
The Guidance Room - Petra
Petra has experienced a serious conflict at her workplace and feels deeply distressed and unsettled. This case illustrates how guidance practitioners can support individuals in demanding situations by balancing empathy, structure and a focus on strengths and possibilities.
About the Case
Petra has experienced a serious conflict at her workplace and feels deeply distressed and unsettled. She is uncertain about her future and seeks guidance to find direction.
This case illustrates how guidance practitioners can support individuals in demanding situations by balancing empathy, structure and a focus on strengths and possibilities.
Suggested approach
1. Start with Episode 1
Identify the main challenges and key aspects of the situation.
- What stands out?
- What seems most important at this stage?
- What would you focus on as a career counselor or career guidance practitioner?
2. Watch Episode 2
Observe how the practitioner approaches the situation.
- What methods are used?
- How is the conversation structured?
- How does the practitioner respond to the guidance seeker?
3. Work with the reflection questions
Use the questions to deepen your analysis.
- What works well?
- What would you have done differently?
- What dilemmas or considerations arise?
Background: Career Guidance for Adults and Students in Higher Education in Norway
Adults in Norway can access career guidance through public career centres (karrieresentre), adult education centres, the Labour and Welfare Administration (Nav), higher education institutions, and community-based services.
Career centres offer free guidance to residents of all ages. Services may include:
- support with educational and career choices
- understanding job opportunities and labour market transitions
- skills mapping and recognition of prior learning
- CV and application support
- group sessions, workshops and digital services
The Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) has a public website in Norwegian for information about education and work at Utdanning.no, and offers digital career guidance at Karriereveiledning.no, which is free and available to the entire population.
Episode 1: Meet Petra
Meet Petra
Reflection Questions
After Watching Episode 1, reflect together:
- What career-related challenges does Petra face?
- Is there anything in Petra's situation that you recognise from your own guidance practice?
Episode 2: The guidance session with Petra
Join the guidance session with Petra
The two guidance moments focus on:
- Recognition and Strengths
- Finding Hope
Reflect together:
- How would you guide Petra?
- The session shows only brief moments from a full guidance conversation. Is there anything else you think should have been said or done?
Reflection Questions
After Watching Episode 2
Use these questions to explore key aspects of the guidance process together:
- How does the guidance practitioner respond to distress?
- How are empathy and boundaries balanced?
- How is structure created in a complex situation?
- What alternative approaches could you consider?
Episode 3: Reflection
Thematic Reflection Questions
Use these questions to reflect on key themes in the guidance sessions with Petra. You may also connect your reflections to the self-assessment tool My competence.
Theme 1: Empathy and professional boundaries
- How do you respond to emotional client stories?
- How do you balance empathy and boundaries?
- What do you listen for in complex situations?
- What if the process remains only empathetic?
Theme 2: Structuring the process and transitions
- How do you move between phases in guidance?
- When is it time to shift focus?
- How can transitions be managed smoothly?
- How is structure maintained?
Theme 3: Strengths-based approaches and confidence
- How can strengths-based methods support recovery?
- What do you think about “treasure hunt” approaches?
- How can competence be made visible?
- How can confidence be rebuilt?
Theme 4: Meaning-making and restoring hope
- How can clients make sense of difficult experiences?
- What role does meaning-making play?
- How can hope be restored?
- What are appropriate next steps?
