Careers in Rehabilitation Counseling

Rehabilitation Counseling: Roles and

ethical issuesDonald S. Persons

Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University

April 8, 2015

IntroductionPart 1

Introducing the accrediting agency for

Professional Rehabilitation CounselingA standard for the roles, duties

and professional ethics in Rehabilitation Counseling) first appeared in the USA in 2010 by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification

Who is CRCC?•Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification is non-governmental and non-profit. It was established in 1974 and recognized by The National Commission for Certifying Agencies, making the CRCC a recognizing authority in the field of counseling of persons with disabilities in the United States.

Who gets certified?•In their practice, a certificate is not required for rehabilitation counselors under supervision or in general practice. Some agencies now require it.

• Persons seeking certification must hold a Masters or Doctoral degree in rehabilitation, counseling or related fields. Field experience is a prerequisite as is practice under a supervisor.

The Counseling Relationship

Part 1

PurposeHow PWDs will use counseling •“to achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals by engaging in a complete counseling process.”

สสสสสสสสสสสสสสสสสสสสสส•คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค คคคคค คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค

•คคคคคคคคคคคคค คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค

Counselor RolesWhat rehab counseling roles?•Employee Assistance Programming,•Expert Testimony,•Job Development/Job Placement,•Life Care Planning,•Marriage & Family Counseling,•Mental Health Counseling,•Return-To-Work Coordination,•School, Education, and Career Counseling,•Substance Abuse/Addictions Counseling,•Teaching/Education,•Vocational Evaluation, and•Vocational Rehabilitation.

Discuss each

Ethical issues for rehabilitation counselors1. The Client – Counselor relationship• respect of the dignity and quality of life of the client•Client and Counselor cooperate to form a plan for rehabilitation and for the counseling that will be required for the plan. •Consideration of appropriate employment based on the potential skills of the client•Client has right to decide for his/her self. Where the client is unable to make such a decision, a group decision is called for composed of related persons. •Respect the unique individuality of the client with respect to gender, age, language, cultural traditions et. al.

•Disclosure•Informed consent•Developmental and cultural sensitivity•Inability to give consent•Support network involvement คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค•Avoid physical or emotional trauma in the relationship from either side.

Ethical issues for the counselor

•There must be no unprofessional romantic or sexual relationship with the client either current or previous clients.•A change of roles of the rehabilition counselor in one focus area requires the client to sign their authorization formally.•Gifts have cultural meaning, but financial gifts must be refused. Small gifts might be accepted.

Group Counseling•Screening•Protecting clients

Termination of the client-counselor relationship occurs as the client request but should not occur under emotional stress. Rather it should be carefully considered together regarding roles and to think through it carefully•Counseling may also occur when the patient achieves their goals in theplan and no longer require counseling. •Referral to another counselor with other expertise can be considered.

Confidentiality, Privileged Communication and Privacy

Part 2

Confidentiality, Privileged Communication and PrivacyConfidentiality•Client has right to their information•Client information is confidential without express consent of the client, a life-threatening emergency or a court order. •Counselors are charged to protect client confidentiality in the work setting.•Family and others have not right to information without client consent.•Client priviledge extends after death

Privileged Communication/Privacy•คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค client คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค•Client คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค•คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค •คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค•Client คคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคคค

Advocacy and Accessibility

Part 3

Advocacy and AccessibilityAdvocacy•remove– Attitudinal barriers– Stereotyping– Discrimination

•enable– Mutual understanding– compassion

•do– Uphold professional boundaries and personal or professional limitations of the counselor to ensure quality counsel

Accessibility•Assess workplace accessibility, even in referring to other offices. •Counselors inquire of their client as to their issues with access

Professional Responsibility

Part 4

Professional Responsibility

•Know professional boundaries•New specialties only after training•Competency is criteria for accepting employment or hiring rehabilitation counselors.•Monitoring effectiveness•Continuing education

↓•Donot accept a client in an area beyond counselor competency. Check your self. Improve. Become capable. Hold to counseling contracts.

Competencies Development

1.Cultural2.Functional3.Professional credentials4.Public Responsibility5.Scientific basis for interventions

Consulting other professionals

Without disclosing identities, counselors can choose to consult other counselors about their client. Be sure to obtain informed consent from both parties.

Technology and Distance Counseling

Part 5

Technology

•All communicative technology could result in violation of client priviledge. •Internet access is public, not private. •Warning the client of online limitations reduces misunderstanding later

Accessibility

•Technology assisted services …can the client use them?

•Online Security

CRCC Test Preparation•Test your readiness here•Hint: this test is SUPER difficult.

References•Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certfication (CRCC). (2009) Code of professional ethics for rehabilitation counselors. Shaumburg, IL: Author.•Other resources