Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Ariel Harrison

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to address the gap in knowledge of the perceived competency of rehabilitation counselors when working with patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and/or a physical disability. The factors that influence the mental health needs of person with SCI and the understanding of how rehabilitation counselors view their competency levels with supporting this population were explored. Selection criteria included licensed or certified rehabilitation counselors actively providing care for persons with SCI and/or a physical disability applying a theoretical framework. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was used to address the central research question of rehabilitation counselors perceived competency when working with SCI and/or a physical disability. Semistructured interviews were conducted with six rehabilitation counselors. I applied the six steps described in the data analysis method, based on principles of phenomenological philosophy (see Broome, 2011; Giorgi, 2018). The following five major themes emerged: (a) clinical factors and certified rehabilitation counselors, (b) mental health and environmental concerns of clients, (c) necessary clinical skills and practice requirements for rehabilitation counselors, (d) supporting certified rehabilitation counselors in training, and (e) impacting social change for clients with disabilities. The implications of this study for positive social change include increasing the professional knowledge of how counselor educator programs can implement specific courses to prepare future rehabilitation counselors for working with SCI and persons living with a physical disability.

Download

Share

 
COinS