Find an Online Psychology Program for You

Featured Online Psychology & Counseling Programs

If you are considering a career as a Rehabilitation Counselor, the job outlook is propitious.

Rehabilitation Employment

Not all persons needing the services of a Rehabilitation Counselor are in their geriatric phase. Potential clients are those who for some reason; mental, emotional or physical, are unable to function independently in their communities. With the help of a Rehabilitation Counselor, however, these persons are able to live happy, healthy and productive lives.

Learn more abouthow to become a rehabilitation counselor.

Where is a Rehabilitation Counselor Most Likely to Find Employment?

There are many avenues open for Rehabilitation Counselors because the spectrum of assistance they provide is extremely wide. In order to know where the counselor will most likely find employment, it is necessary to determine exactly which type of client the counselor seeks to work with and in what capacity. Lee Pearson is the program director for one college’s Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Program. He describes the many different types of Rehabilitation Counseling might be explored.

“In many ways the Rehabilitation Counselor and the process of rehabilitation is assisting people with disabilities; and that includes all kinds and types of disabilities, from physical disabilities; psychiatric disabilities; learning disabilities; sensory impairment; deafness; blindness; alcohol or drug addictions. The role of the Rehabilitation Counselor is to assist them in developing a plan and implementing that plan to overcome the barriers and obstacles that are created as a result of this disability whatever it may be, and to achieve their life goals.”

  • Lee Pearson,Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling Program Director

Who is the Client?

The client of a Rehabilitation Counselor is an individual who suffers from difficulties resulting from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents or the stress of daily life. Each category is different and some patients may suffer from a combination. Once the nature of the disability is identified, the Rehabilitation Counselor helps the client to maximize their independence and chances of employment.

A Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) has the unique opportunity to assist individuals in a holistic manner because they become involved in the patient’s life on every level; personal, social and vocationally.  The counselor takes into consideration the client in his/her entirety:  physical abilities and limitations; mental strengths and weaknesses; financial resources or lack thereof; any support systems (family/friends/religious); ability to qualify for federal, state and local outreach programs; capabilities with regards to functioning independently in the community and the client’s potential to eventually acquire the needed skills and coping mechanisms necessary for living life within society.

Rehabilitation Counselor as Counselor

The number one function of a Rehabilitation Counselor (as the title suggests) is to counsel their clients. The topics of therapy however, have a broad spectrum of possibilities. Each client is a unique blend of characteristics and qualities; the RC must take each strength and weakness and evaluate these in the long and short terms.

Counseling the client can occur in a number of settings:

Rehabilitation Counselor as Evaluator

The Rehabilitation Counselor evaluates the nature of the client’s disability. If it is a mental disability the counselor assesses the psychological aspects of the case; possibly involving other professionals such as psychiatrists, medical doctors or substance abuse specialists. The evaluation must include perceived abilities and limitations; over-all health issues or concerns; the disposition of the client and factors possibly contributing to the mental disability; environment, relationships, diet, as well as current available opportunities for growth. If the disability is physical, the counselor evaluates the parameters within which the client can operate in the course of any given day. They determine if the client is functioning at full capacity, or is in need of other professionals to assist them; i.e. physical therapists.

Evaluation of a client can occur in a variety of settings:

Rehabilitation Counselor as Treatment Developer

The Rehabilitation Counselor seeks to learn the client’s personal nature, disposition, interests, dislikes and goals. They then design a treatment plan based on the uniqueness of the client; taking into consideration the individual’s values, strengths and limitations both physically and psychologically. Treatment plans may be done at the request of:

Rehabilitation Counselor as Intermediary/Facilitator

The role of developing, designing and creating a plan of treatment for a client may involve coordinating with other professionals, doctors, therapists, psychologists, and social workers. It may also mean working with family members, friends and other human resources available to the client. The Rehabilitation Counselor may have to schedule doctor’s appointments, other medical appointments, career/vocational training as well as arrange for transportation. These duties would typically be incorporated into an institutional setting.

“Rehabilitation counselors are specially trained counselors who can help with how a client feels about changes; they can work with the family and/or employers to help negotiate those changes. Some of the outcomes people might want would be to modify the circumstances of their employment so that they can do it with less effort or less pain; so they can maximize their cognitive skills. Rehabilitation counselors help with that.”

  • Kurt Johnson, PhD, University of Washington

Rehabilitation Counselor as Educator

A Rehabilitation Counselor can educate the public either through public forums or as an instructor at a campus of higher learning.

Rehabilitation Counselor as an Advocate

Ways for a Rehabilitation Counselor to Increase Desirability as a Job Candidate

Ways for a Rehabilitation Counselor to Increase His/Her Salary

Employers reward employees who not only know the job from an intellectual standpoint but also from an experiential one. If you develop a community image through involvement with outside charities supporting the very disabilities of which you are involved; your employer will see your dedication and motivation. These are powerful bargaining tools.

Association with any group which supplements your company’s efforts in the community will definitely increase your chances of increasing your salary.

Highest Paying Employers

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forrehabilitation counselorsare based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2023.

Related ArticlesCan a Counseling Degree Make Me Rich?How To Help Those Considering SuicideSigns of an Excellent Counseling Degree ProgramEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Transformational CounselorsThe Ten Worst Habits for Your Mental HealthEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Substance Abuse CounselorInternships in Counseling: Shedding Light on the Explosive “Match”Do I Need a PhD in Counseling?Why Virtual Reality Is Set to Transform Mental Health TreatmentMode of Therapy - Pastoral CounselingEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Grief CounselorsMode of Therapy - Marriage CounselingPreparing for a Private Counseling PracticeTop Places to Work as a CounselorMode of Therapy - School CounselingEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Mental Health CounselorsEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Geriatric CounselorsEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Child Abuse CounselorsUndergraduate vs. Graduate Counseling DegreesTop 3 Social Service Jobs of 2025Employment Outlook & Career Guidance for Army Mental Health Specialists7 Quick & Easy Mental Health Exercises to Help You Through Your DayEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Suicide Intervention CounselorsMode of Therapy - Premarital CounselingHow Your Counseling Degree Opens Doors in the Real WorldWorking While in a Counseling Master’s ProgramWhat You Might Pay in Student Loans in Order to Become a CounselorHolistic Counseling on the RiseEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Community CounselorsEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Depression CounselorsEmployment Outlook & Career Guidance for Domestic Abuse Counselors

Related CareersRehabilitation Counselor CareersHow to Become a Marriage and Family CounselorSpiritual Counselor CareersChild Abuse Counseling CareerGuidance Counselor Careers