Rehabilitation Counseling

The field of rehabilitation counseling can be traced back to 1918 when the U.S. Government instituted programs for disabled World War I veterans. In the last 80 years plus, rehabilitation has evolved to the point where today it serves a broad and diverse population. However, the major focus of rehabilitation counselor training and professional practice centers around programs serving disabled individuals.
Rehabilitation counselors address physical, emotional, psychological and vocational issues of individuals with disabilities. In order to do this, rehabilitation counselors rely on a broad set of skills, knowledge and/or expertise in counseling, psychology, assessment techniques, case management, research, career development and medical aspects of disability. The primary purpose of this background is to prepare an individual to work with disabled people, with an understanding of how disabilities may play a role in major life functioning.
While some universities offer a bachelor's degree in rehabilitation counseling, most rehabilitation counselor training programs, at 100 major universities, prepare counselors at a master's degree level. This generally consists of a two-year (60 semester units) program with an internship component. In addition, a number of universities offer doctorates in rehabilitation counseling.
At present, only 28 states offer licensing procedures for rehabilitaion counseling. California, while not among them, has participated in the initiation of a nationwide certification program. A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) is an individual who has met educational and experience requirements and passed a written examination in the field of rehabilitation counseling. To date, over 30,000 Rehabilitation Counselors have been certified by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, 1835 Rohlwing Road, Suite E, Rolling Meadows, Illinois, 60008. They maintain a website at www.crccertification.org.

Case Management

Case management has evolved into a separate health care field over the last 30 years. It is recognized as a "collaborative process which assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates opinions and services to meet an individual's health needs through communications and available resources to promote quality, cost-effective outcomes" (Case Management Society of America). Various certification programs have developed, including Certified Case Manager (CCM), and to date over 40,000 individuals have been certified. The Commission on Case Management Certification requires, for certification, a certain level of education, experience, and the passing of a written examination in the field of Case Management. Most individuals so certified have a background in the field of Rehabilitation Counseling or nursing.