What Does a Rehabilitation Counselor Do?

What Does a Rehabilitation Counselor Do?

Rehabilitation counselors assist people living with disabilities in overcoming social, mental and physical obstacles that keep them from living independently. After assessing clients’ abilities and needs, rehabilitation counselors create goals for their rehabilitation process and offer assistance in reaching those objectives.

Rehabilitation counselors work in a range of settings, such as hospitals, independent living facilities, rehabilitation centers, schools, community agencies and social services offices. Many rehab counselors also participate in vocational rehabilitation programs to prepare clients with disabilities for employment by offering job coaching and other services designed to boost their career prospects.

Assess client needs and create treatment plans that promote independence, inclusion and community involvement. This assessment involves gathering data from a client’s records and medical reports, interviewing them and consulting with other professionals.

Counselors can educate clients about their disabilities, giving them the power to advocate for themselves in the workplace, school or community. Counselors may provide guidance on how to access services or resources that will improve quality of life such as financial assistance, housing or transportation.

Establish trust with clients, understanding that this relationship is paramount to their success in rehabilitation counseling.

Start with small goals, such as buying a car or finding part-time work, to help the client become more self-sufficient and able to live independently in their community.

Rehabilitation counseling often seeks to combat discrimination and prejudice that often accompany disability. To do this, individuals should become informed about the history of disability rights advocacy, the prevalence of ableism in society, and strategies for combatting negative attitudes toward individuals with disabilities.