The effectiveness of psychodynamic career counselling: a randomised control trial on the PICS programme

The work aims at extending the research into the effectiveness of psychodynamic career counselling for improving career adjustment. The short- and medium-term effects of the PICS (Psychodynamic Intervention for Career Strategies) programme were tested through an RCT conducted on a sample of 82 psychology professionals entering the labour market. It was hypothesised that after completing the programme–at posttest and at 6-month follow-up–participants would have higher scores on measures of career adaptability (assumed as primary outcome) and other secondary career-related outcomes. Overall, the results of the present study suggest a medium-sized effect on the curiosity dimension of career adaptability at 6-month follow-up, despite not fully robust in terms of statistical significance, and other promising impacts suggesting a more relational approach in career construction in those participating in the programme according to the treatment protocol.