The COVID-19 pandemic has had a world-wide impact on all areas of individuals' health, including physical, psychological, financial, familial, social, and vocational. In the United States, the unemployment rate rose from 3.5% (5.8 million) to 13.3% (21 million) in May 2020 before dropping to 7.9% in October 2020. Cognitive information processing (CIP)is one career theory that addresses career needs of clients and society. In this article, we examine the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and wellness, highlight differences for marginalized groups, and demonstrate how CIP theoretical elements may have been impacted by COVID-19, and provide strategies enhancing client growth in these domains during a time when largescale social and physical distancing is recommended. The CIP-based differentiated service delivery model is also described as a means for extending and providing access to career services.
K E Y W O R D Scognitive information processing theory, COVID-19, access, strategies, career practitioner Career counseling clients' life experiences, needs, and considerations have increased in complexity as a result of COVID-19. While the primary impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a physical health crisis for individuals and health care systems, secondary impacts are clearly evident in mental health (World Health Organization, 2020) and the economy (Carter et al., 2020). "Primary impacts of an outbreak are defined as the direct and immediate consequences of the epidemic on human health. Secondary impacts are defined as those caused by the epidemic indirectly, either through the effect of fear on the population or as a consequence of the measures taken to contain and control it" (UNICEF, 2020, p. 1). Demand for health services will increase as a result of poor mental health and negative lifestyle changes (Carter et al., 2020). Maani and Galea (2020) reported that high rates of unemployment caused by COVID-19 will be associated with increased mental health problems, resulting