Facilitating goal-directed transition projects for young adult newcomers to Canada: a qualitative study of a brief supportive counseling intervention

ABSTRACT Transition to life in a new country represents complex and challenging tasks for young adults. This transition can be conceptualized as goal-directed action. To date, the literature has not described how these transitions intersect in the goal-directed life projects in which young newcomers engage. Similarly, the literature has not reported attempts to facilitate these processes through brief, goal-oriented supportive counseling interventions. In this study, 12 newcomers to Canada, aged 20–34 years, participated in an individual counseling support intervention intended to assist them to identify and engage in their transition-oriented projects. Qualitative data were collected using the action-project method over approximately a six-month period. Findings indicated that participants engaged in a range of transition projects, thematically grouped as relationship, career, and identity. The findings also revealed information about participants’ engagement with the intervention as part of their transition projects. Implications for research and practice are drawn.