Pollard, ZeldaMaree, J.G. (Kobus)2025-08-272025-08-272025-07Pollard, Z., & Maree, J. G. (2025). Applying Life-Design Counseling to Young Adults Experiencing Unmastered Psychosocial Developmental Tasks. Australian Journal of Career Development, 34(2), 194-207. https://doi.org/Pollard, Z., & Maree, J. G. (2025). Applying Life-Design Counseling to Young Adults Experiencing Unmastered Psychosocial Developmental Tasks. Australian Journal of Career Development, 34(2), 194-207. https://doi.org/10.1177/10384162251345633 .1038-4162 (print)2200-6974 (online)10.1177/10384162251345633http://hdl.handle.net/2263/104006DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The data supporting this study’s findings are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.Unresolved traumatic experiences and unmastered developmental tasks can adversely affect personality, thereby exerting a significant psychological impact on career trajectory and adaptability. This study investigated the influence of life-design counseling on young adults in mastering unresolved psychosocial developmental tasks. A qualitative, mixed-methods case study research design was employed, featuring pre- and post-intervention data collection phases and an adapted life-design counseling intervention. This intervention incorporated the Career Interest Profile Version 7 (CIP) and various life-design strategies. Thematic analysis revealed three core themes: unmastered psychosocial developmental tasks, external influences on the navigation of these tasks, and intrapersonal processes facilitating task mastery. The findings revealed that life-design counselling enhanced the resolution of unmastered psychosocial developmental tasks, self-awareness, self-knowledge, and self-reflection, and promoted a heightened sense of meaning and purpose in participants’ lives. These results offer theoretical insights and practical applications, enhancing the understanding and implementation of psychosocial developmental tasks within life-design counseling frameworks.en© Australian Council for Educational Research 2025. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).Psychosocial developmentLife-design counselingCareer constructionUnmastered developmental tasksYoung adultsArticle