Fruits of the fig-tree : a counsellor’s role in assisting gifted and talented adolescents to address their multipotentiality

Abstract

Multipotentiality in gifted and talented adolescents refers to the fact that these individuals have numerous and diverse abilities and interests that can affect their career choices and decisionmaking. To help these young people achieve their potential, a broad understanding of the nature and effects of multipotentiality is crucial, as is emotional support and advocacy from counsellors—with school guidance counsellors and careers counsellors ideally placed to assist. This article provides information and ideas from relevant academic literature and research to facilitate understanding of the associated concepts, and to introduce suggested interventions for use with multipotentialed gifted and talented young people.

The principal findings from the review of literature suggest the usefulness of specifically targeted counselling that is underpinned by an understanding of the implications of multipotentiality; an holistic, values-based and lifespan approach to career planning; mentoring; experiential learning; and early intervention, coupled with long-term planning and broad academic study. It has also become clear that much more research is required, particularly from New Zealand viewpoints.