This presentation focuses on a theory of personality development, conceptual systems theory, as a possible resource for the counselor assisting clients in stress. It describes the results of a factor analysis of four measures of conceptual structure which suggested that the construct of conceptual complexity is different from the construct of conceptual level. A significant multiple correlation was reported between the two variables comprising the conceptual level factor (Tuckman's Interpersonal Topical Inventory and Hunt's Paragraph Completion Test), and an overall index of self-actualization derived from Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory. Both the factor analytic and the regression results were discussed as they related to counseling research and practice. (Author)