My Life…My Story: Narrative Career Counselling for Older Adults’ Post-Retirement Life

Retirement isn’t an ending, it’s a new chapter waiting to be written. This webinar invites career development practitioners to explore the powerful role narrative career counselling can play in helping older adults step confidently into their “third chapter of life.”

Join us to discover how narrative approaches can open up fresh possibilities, reframe outdated ideas about ageing, and empower clients to author futures filled with purpose, connection, and renewed identity.

In this session, you will:

1. Learn how to shift conversations about retirement from loss and limitation to strength, capability, and life story expansion.

2. Explore a narrative counselling framework designed specifically for post retirement clients.

3. Experiment with creative tools and techniques that help clients shape a meaningful next chapter, drawing on a lifetime of experiences, wisdom, and evolving aspirations.

With the 60 to 64 age group now one of the fastest growing segments in both Australia and the United States, millions of adults are navigating what comes after traditional work roles. Many are seeking guidance to make sense of this transition, redefine their purpose, and embrace opportunities across learning, relating, contributing, and living well.

Narrative career counselling offers a rich, human centred approach for this stage of life. By honouring personal stories and inviting clients to co author new ones, practitioners can support older adults to:

• integrate past and present experiences
• challenge limiting assumptions
• reimagine what is possible
• craft a future that aligns with their values, motivations, and evolving identity

This webinar blends theory with hands on practice. You’ll gain fresh perspectives on retirement and life roles, then participate in an experiential component where you’ll use narrative techniques you can immediately apply in your work.

If you support clients navigating retirement or want to expand your practice into this growing area, this session will equip you with practical, inspiring strategies to help them design a vibrant and meaningful third chapter.

CICA Competencies - Career development theory, Communication and interpersonal skills.

Please note this session runs for 90 minutes.

Presenter - Dr. Pamelia E. Brott

Dr. Pamelia E. Brott is a professional consultant and actively living her third storied chapter. She has over 42 years of cumulative experience as a teacher, coach, school counsellor, counsellor educator, and supervisor. Dr. Brott is the author of 54 publications and 128 presentations at international, national, regional, and state venues spanning the fields of career counselling, school counselling, and counsellor education. Her areas of expertise are constructivist career counselling and qualitative assessments, professional identity development, and counselling supervision. 

Recent research is on vlogging as a transformative reflexive practice in counsellor identity development. Currently, Dr. Brott is exploring career counselling approaches to assist hose engaged in third chapter of life as a transformative opportunity. She is the author of the storied approach (Brott, 2001) that she has presented in Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, and the U.S. In 2018, Dr. Brott was named a Fellow of the National Career Development Association.

A recording of the webinar will be made available to all registered attendees. If you’re unable to join the live session, you’ll receive access to the recording after the event for up to 14 days to watch at your convenience.