About Us

The Division of Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling was formerly known as Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Division of Clinical Rehabil itation and Mental Health Counseling is to serve the people of North Carolina by using evidence-based knowledge to give rehabilitation and mental health counselors the expertise to provide services to our citizens with disabilities with a special focus on those with developmental disabilities and/or psychiatric disabilities.

We believe in the dignity and worth of citizens with disabilities and their right to live self-determined lives in inclusive communities of their choice.The division educates counselors who then use their skills: (i) to help citizens with disabilities live productive and independent lives; (ii) to provide access to and manage personalized services that support the unique needs and preferences of each citizen with a disability and their respective families and communities; and (iii) to forge new models of research-informed community practice.

Our counselors are taught to assess and focus on the whole person: psychological, vocational, spiritual, and physical needs, and family, social, vocational, andc ommunity relationships. Division-educated counselors must possess the knowledge, courage, vision ,critical thinking abilities, and commitment to independent learning and scholarship required to comprehensively address these needs.

In carrying out this mission, the faculty of the division has the obligation: (i) to discover, preserve, synthesize, and transmit knowledge; (ii) to be models of professional leadership; and (iii) to create a culture of educational excellence that nurtures students’ intellectual and ethical development. Students have the responsibility to fully engage in an educational process of research, free inquiry, and personal responsibility and to become practitioners,scholars,researchers,and leaders in the profession of clinical rehabilitation counseling and mental health counseling.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is recognized, nationally and internationally, as a leading center of scholarship, research and creative work with a mission to serve the people of the state and nation. The mission of our division is to contribute actively and substantively to this tradition.

Objectives

1. Practice effectively within a community model using current best practices for rehabilitation counseling and mental health counseling;
2. Assess the client’s overall rehabilitation and mental health needs and preferences and work with the client to develop and implement appropriate counseling services and support plans;
3. Have specific knowledge and skills to address the counseling and case management needs of individuals with disabilities with emphasis on the needs of persons with psychiatric and developmental disabilities;
4. Work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams, family members, community members and decision and policy makers;
5. Engage in a process of lifelong learning, collaboration and collegiality;
6. Assume leadership roles and rehabilitation counseling and mental health counseling practice and the profession with the necessary leadership, business and management and public policy skills;
7. Empower clients as self advocates.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is committed to equality of educational opportunity. The University does not discriminate in offering access to its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The Dean of Students (919) 966-4042 has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the University’s non-discrimination policies.

Scope of practice