Rehabilitation Counselor Professional Identity Development in Master's-Level Training Programs: An Exploratory Study of Potential Influencing Factors

Abstract

Unifying the field of rehabilitation counseling appears to be a daunting task. Many researchers have investigated this phenomenon and have also written position papers arguing for a specific identity perspective: either as a counseling specialty or as a separate profession. The current study examined beliefs about the field of rehabilitation counseling among trainees and investigated factors that influenced these beliefs. A scale was developed to collect data about perceptions of master's-level students in Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)-accredited training programs. Data were collected from 67 participants in 12 programs. Results indicated that two-thirds of trainees believed that rehabilitation counseling is a counseling specialty. Previous work experience of the trainees was most likely to influence this position.

A Revisited Inquiry: A Survey of the Members of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA)

“…In the issue, Shaw and Kuehn (2009) documented the accreditation process and provided an argument for the importance for the field of RC to maintain relevancy and viability. Other researchers have investigated the “identity” phenomenon and have written position papers arguing for a specific distinct perspective: either as a counseling specialty under the umbrella of general counseling or as a separate distinctive profession (Barnes, Rak, Austin, & Louw, 2012; Patterson, 2008). Barnes et al (2012) surveyed RC trainee’s perceptions of the field from 12 master’s-level Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredited programs.…”

“…Other researchers have investigated the “identity” phenomenon and have written position papers arguing for a specific distinct perspective: either as a counseling specialty under the umbrella of general counseling or as a separate distinctive profession (Barnes, Rak, Austin, & Louw, 2012; Patterson, 2008). Barnes et al (2012) surveyed RC trainee’s perceptions of the field from 12 master’s-level Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredited programs. The results indicated that there was much conflict around this issue and that two thirds believed that RC is a counseling specialty and a unique field.…”

“…The results indicated that there was much conflict around this issue and that two thirds believed that RC is a counseling specialty and a unique field. In addition, Barnes et al (2012) concluded that unifying the field appears to be needed yet a daunting task.…”

“…Since the establishment of the CACREP accrediting body, there has been noted fragmentation between professionals who perceive the counseling profession as a general field and RC being a specialty area within it versus those who believe the RC field is an independent one. This conflict has continued for decades and has been manifested in the area of counselor preparation (Barnes et al, 2012; Leahy, 2009; Myers, 1995; Patterson, 2008).…”

“…More recent discussions of the merger are rooted in licensure and parity, unification, and professional identity issues (Barnes et al, 2012; Phillips & Leahy, 2012). In particular, federal programs such as U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now recognize licensed professional mental health counselors graduating from CACREP accredited programs (Careers in Psychology, n.d.; Urofsky, 2013).…”