Recent trends in career-related research and theory have led to increased recognition that issues related to work or vocation are extremely complex. The influx of ideas from different areas such as cognitive and family therapies has resulted in an flood of new strategies and procedures to be incorporated into old and familiar methods of career counseling (Gysbers & Moore, 1987). To this modern holistic approach to career counseling, techniques and theories commonly applied in the practice of psychotherapy make an invaluable contribution. This article will address four aspects of career counseling: client expectations, the scope of career counseling, client characteristics, and process variables. In all but the simplest of cases, these aspects require a psychological approach in order for clients to meet their goals in a timely and appropriate manner. The following discussion refers to clients whose problem clearly relates to career or work and who have the necessary resources (principally time and money) to begin career counseling.