Q. I've enjoyed MS's books. Since she apparently doesn't do career counseling, how might I find a career, or guidance, counselor in my area who "subscribes" to MS's philosophy?

A. Well, of course, we do not recommend any one individual since we have not yet trained any one in our philosophy and methods. There's no way of knowing how competent or tuned to your needs any career counselor might be. However, the following ideas may point you in helpful directions. . .

a. Richard Bolles (author of What Color is My Parachute?) has developed a bunch of trainers, all over the U.S., I believe. Might be a good idea to read his book first (10 Speed Press, publisher). He seems close to the MS viewpoint...

b. Check with any good grad school (e.g., in California, the UC campuses; Stanford; Cal State, etc.) for a career counseling center and faculty. These schools tend to provide not only counseling but also workshops through the college's extension program. These workshops are usually short-term (e.g., weekend intensives), low cost (or at least, compared to the ongoing one-on-one counseling sessions, reasonable) and can give us a tremendous way to sample various approaches.

c. Consider using the career counseling services of your own grad school or college -- again, these are generally (not always) solid and particularly inexpensive for alumni.

d. Consider shopping for a counselor (any type) as you might for a family doctor or attorney. Same process: word of mouth; professional referral (which, to repeat, this is not) from someone who actually knows the individuals involved or has had a family member participate with them.

Ideally, counseling is a long-term, trustworthy relationship. You may want to phone your counselor up occasionally -- for sort of a check up; a quick question; an emergency. You don't want to feel guilty doing that, right?

Few people want to work with someone who ties them to their "apron strings." It's a dialogue. These sessions can breed confidence, independence, self-sufficiency; healthy, active self-respect. Or not.

(Also, keep in mind that an author (or celebrity expert) isn't automatically a gifted career counselor. All depends...)

It may help to make an appointment with three different people (expect to pay for their time). Interview them. Assess your intuition and reasoned thought as you go. This isn't new news. Reason, assess and also feel your way into the appropriateness of each counselor's methods, temperament, costs -- just as with a physician.

On the other hand, this isn't astral physics. There are so many bright, trustworthy, truly competent, insightful individuals practicing today. This is a great time to talk careers and job-changing issues -- the whole world seems brimming with excitement over these themes.

We hope this helps. Please let us know how the process works for you, and thank you so much for the worthy question.