What Is a Rehabilitation Counselor?
Rehabilitation counselors are professionals who help patients set and work toward goals relating to moving on with life after some type of physical or emotional trauma. Often, the rehabilitation counselor will provide support and counseling to people who must learn to live with disabilities of some type, including offering ideas on vocational training options as well as exploring ways the patient can enjoy at least a measure of independent living. Health care careers of this type often require that the counselor be trained and certified, as well as possess the ability to convey empathy and basic therapy to patients who are working through the reality of their new life circumstances. In order to work as a rehabilitation counselor, most jurisdictions and employers require some form of education and training. Often, this takes the form of successfully completing an accredited counselor education program. Programs of this nature are offered at many colleges and universities. Degree program
Rehabilitation counselors help individuals with physical, mental, and psychiatric disabilities achieve productive and independent lives. They help people deal with the personal, social and vocational effects of disabilities. Rehab counselors evaluate strengths and limitations of individuals, and coordinate medical care, vocational training, and job placement. They also provide personal and vocational counseling. These counselors work with families, schools, physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists and employers to determine the skills and capabilities of individuals.
Rehabilitation counselors help people deal with the personal and vocational effects of disabilities. They counsel people with disabilities resulting from birth defects, illness, accidents or other causes. They evaluate the strengths and limitations of individuals, provide personal and vocational counseling, and arrange for medical care, vocational training and job placement.