Rehabilitation Counselors
Overview
Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
What do they do?
Rehabilitation counselors work with clients to overcome or manage the personal, social, or psychological effects of disabilities on employment or independent living.
Rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities at various stages in their lives. For example, some work with students to develop strategies for transitioning from school to work. Others help veterans to cope with the mental or physical effects of their military service. Still others help people adapt to disabilities developed later in life from illness or injury.
Most rehabilitation counselors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Depending on where they are employed, rehabilitation counselors may work evenings, weekends, or part time.
How to become one
Rehabilitation counselors typically need a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field, although for some jobs a bachelor’s degree is sufficient. Some positions require a license or certification.
Licensing requirements for rehabilitation counselors differ by state and by type of services provided. Rehabilitation counselors who provide counseling services to clients must attain a counselor license through their state licensing board. Rehabilitation counselors who provide other services, however, may be exempt from state licensing requirements. For example, rehabilitation counselors who provide only vocational rehabilitation services or job placement assistance may not need a license.
Some employers require or prefer that rehabilitation counselors have professional certification, which can help to demonstrate competency in the field. For example, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification offers the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification for applicants who meet advanced education, work experience, and clinical supervision requirements and pass a test.
