It is generally accepted that the environment in which a counselor works influences his or her ethical behavior, but there is little empirical examination of this idea within the rehabilitation counseling professional literature. A survey was conducted with a national sample of practicing certified rehabilitation counselors that elicited…

The "Physical Activity Scale for Individuals With Physical Disabilities" was examined as a physical activity measure for people with severe mental illness. Case manager ratings were more closely related to body mass index than clients' ratings, challenging the accuracy of self-report physical activity measures for individuals with severe mental…

This study investigated certified rehabilitation counselors' (CRCs) attitudes, knowledge, and comfort in addressing disability and sexuality issues. One hundred ninety-nine CRCs completed a modified version of the "Knowledge, Comfort, Approach and Attitudes toward Sexuality Scale" to determine the effect of knowledge and attitudes on level of…

In the 2006 Job Analysis of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification asked counselors where they thought the profession would be in 5 years. A total of 529 counselors gave their opinions about the future of rehabilitation counseling within the context of the sociopolitical environment in which…

Through description of personal encounters and reflections, the author suggests both the benefits and challenges of rehabilitation counseling professionals' becoming more engaged with disability studies scholars. Disconcerting discrepancies between the self-perception and public perception of counselors are discussed. (Author)

Surveyed 342 current members of American Rehabilitation Counseling Association. Findings suggest that members view the association's affiliation with American Association for Counseling and Development, "Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin," and involvement with Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification as organizational…

The concept of choice has evolved into legal mandates and ethical challenges for rehabilitation professionals during the latter part of the 20th century. This article identifies the ethical and legal issues related to choice, summarizes a pilot project on rehabilitation counselors' perceptions of choice, and provides recommendations for…

Identified important counselor characteristics for effective vocational rehabilitation (VR) counseling and investigated importance of characteristics among VR counselors (N=156) and supervisors (N=31) through item generation surveys and rating inventories. Found no group differences in ratings. Findings suggest implications for training and…

Rehabilitation counselors (n=1,535) reported that they were at least moderately prepared in vocational services; foundations of rehabilitation; case management/services; group/family counseling; medical/psychosocial aspects; workers' compensation, employer services, and technology; individual counseling/development; social, cultural, and…

Conclusions indicated that counselors should develop a greater awareness of the influence of their perceptions on counselor-client interactions, vocational planning, and the delivery of service. (Author/EK)

Assessed attitudes of 72 rehabilitation counseling students toward normal to massively obese clients. Participants viewed pictures of clients and read additional information. Results showed students held negative attitudes toward massively obese people, particularly massively obese women, who were more likely to be perceived as needing…

The results showed a significant difference in the way current inservice training is perceived as helpful to job performance when comparisons were made between the responses of trained counselors and untrained supervisors, and untrained counselors and trained supervisors. (Author)

Examined differences among certified rehabilitation counselors (n=1,535) in level of importance attributed to various knowledge domains. Found that grouping respondents according to employment setting and job title accounted for most frequent differences in knowledge importance among all variables examined. Respondents' educational background and…

Examined self-reported importance and attainment of practitioner competencies among rehabilitation counselors, vocational evaluators, and job placement specialists across three major employment settings. The Rehabilitation Skills Inventory was completed by 1,294 rehabilitation practitioners. Data analysis identified generic competencies and…