Emotional barriers to successful reemployment: implications for counselors

Abstract

Common responses to job loss include stress reactions, depression and anxiety, and lowered self‐esteem. Such emotional reactions can inhibit clients' ability to complete a successful job search and may be barriers to finding suitable employment despite the best efforts of the counselor. This article describes these common reactions to job loss and unemployment, explains how to recognize their symptoms, and discusses ways counselors can address these emotional barriers to finding meaningful reemployment.