rehabilitation counselor
Licensed mental health professional specializing in helping individuals with psychiatric disabilities develop skills and access resources needed for community integration and vocational success.
Full Definition
Rehabilitation counselors are licensed professionals who work with individuals with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and other conditions to promote independence and community integration. In community psychiatry settings, they focus on functional assessment, skill development, and connecting clients with vocational, educational, and social resources. Their scope includes career counseling, job coaching, independent living skills training, and advocacy for accommodations. Rehabilitation counselors often work collaboratively with psychiatrists, social workers, and other team members to address the psychosocial aspects of mental health recovery.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from general counselors by emphasizing focus on functional capacity and community integration.
In Context
- "The rehabilitation counselor assessed the client's vocational interests and barriers to employment." — Assessment report
- "Collaboration between the psychiatrist and rehabilitation counselor improved the client's functional outcomes." — Treatment team notes