Welcome
Visit us at our offices in Bondurant Hall Suite 2083, 301-A South Columbia Street.
What is Rehabilitation Counseling?
Rehabilitation Counseling is a profession that holistically applies counseling skills to assist individuals with psychiatric, developmental, cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities to achieve their maximum level of independence, integration, and participation in the community and the world of work in accordance with each individuals personal goals, career aspirations, and perception of quality of life.
A Rehabilitation Counselor is a highly trained professional who uses a client centered approach to counsel individuals with disability and assist them in attaining optimal function, including psychological, social, and vocational function in the context of their personal goals, abilities, and perception of quality of life.
Who are Rehabiliation Counselor's Clients?
Certified Rehabilitation Counselors are employed in many different types of rehabilitation service agencies, transition programs, and advocacy agencies. Rehabilitation counselors are trained to work with individuals who have a disability which may include the following: developmental disability, psychiatric disability, physical disability, substance abuse and/or dependence.
Although students in the Rehabilitation Counseling program at UNC receive training which would enable them to work with individuals in all disability groups, the program offers two areas of specialization: Developmental Disability or Psychiatric Disability.
Where do Rehabilitation Counselors work?
Rehabilitation counselors work in a number of settings including:
Mental Health Facilities
Private rehabilitation agencies
Public rehabilitation agencies
Substance treatment facilities
Correctional facilities
Schools
State and Federal Offices
Hospitals
Examples of employment of recent graduates include:
Post Traumactic Stress Unit of VA Hospital
Traumatic Brain Injury Agency
Substance Treatment facility
Private Rehabilitation Agency
Public Rehabilitation Agency
What Special Training do Rehabilitation Counselors Receive?
In addition to receiving training in counseling theories and practice, rehabilitation counselors receive additional training, which enables them to consider the medical, psychosocial, spiritual, family, and environmental impact of disability on the individual's ability to function in the environment of their choice. Special courses in medical and psychosocial aspects of disability, job analysis, accommodation, placement, enable rehabilitation counselors to evaluate and identify individual client needs and apply interventions which assist individuals to achieve their optimal functional capacity.
Students in the Rehabilitation Counseling program at UNC receive additional training in developmental or psychiatric disability, depending on the area of specialization chosen.