Who is a Rehabilitation Psychologist?

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A Rehabilitation Psychologist is a professional who is trained in handling wide-ranging activities comprising of clinical practice, research, consultation, training & education, program development, and advocacy related to persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions. Rehabilitation Psychologists deliberate on theoretical concepts of cognitive, biological, social, environmental, political, and psychological aspects that affect the wellness of persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions as a part of the remedial intervention. Rehabilitation Psychologists aim at improving the quality of life of individuals and their families suffering from sensory, developmental, physical, and mental disabilities to achieve optimal psychological, social, and physical functioning. 

 

Rehabilitation Psychologists focus on assisting people with all types of disabilities and chronic health conditions in:

 

• Identifying the biological, psychological, interpersonal, environmental and socio-contextual factors that impede the process of rehabilitation 

• Remediating the barriers; to maximize the independence, functional status, health, and social participation in the community at large 

• Identifying personal strengths and resiliency factors that foster continued recovery and social reintegration 

• Achieving optimal psychological, social and physical functioning

 

Overall, Rehabilitation Psychologists develop individualized intervention plans that maximize the overall wellbeing, improve the quality of life, and restore hope and meaning in persons with disabilities and their families. 

 

Rehabilitation Psychologist serves a wider range of population which includes: 

• Individuals with brain injuries 

• Individuals with spinal cord injuries 

• Geriatric population 

• Individuals with a neuromuscular disorder 

• Individual with chronic pain disorder 

 

People with medical conditions such as : 

• Cancer 

• Multiple sclerosis 

• Developmental disorder 

• Psychiatric disability 

• Substance abuse 

• Deafness or hearing loss 

• Intellectual disability 

• Blindness and vision loss 

• Impairment by educational or other disadvantages 

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What are the Work Settings of Rehabilitation Psychologists?

                                                                                                   

Rehabilitation Psychology is the study and application of Psychological Principles for the betterment of Person with Disability so that he/she can attain an optimum functional level in their daily lives. In this regard, Rehabilitation Psychologists work in various ways and in wide scope in the activities related to Persons with disabilities. 

 

The primary focus of Rehabilitation Psychology is to work on Functional Literacy/Academics, Daily Life Skills, Family System, Vocational Training, using various modes like Psychological assessment, Psycho-education, Recreational Activities, Remedial Teaching, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavior therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Play therapy, Dance and Drama therapy, Music therapy, Expressive Art therapy, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) for trauma-focused therapy, Treatment, and Education of Autistic and Communication related handicapped Children (TEACCH), Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Family Therapy to name a few. Though few basic therapies are taught during the course, few additional therapy training is generally taken from the concerned institutions.

 

As this process is infinitely dynamic and vast, the work areas of Rehabilitation Psychologist are wide and far-reaching. Presently, few the Work Settings of Rehabilitation Psychologists are -      

 

• Hospitals (Government and Private)

• Mental Health Clinics

• Medical Colleges

• District Rehabilitation Centers

• Rehabilitation medicine settings

• Academic institutions

• Special needs schools

• Vocational evaluation and training centres

• Mental health and day treatment settings

• Rehabilitation agencies

• Schools

• Private practice

 

As work settings of Rehabilitation Psychologists include various domains, the services provided by Rehabilitation Psychologists also include -

 

1. Psychological Assessment

2. Psychological Counseling and Therapies

3. Wellness Promotion

4. Stress/Conflict Management

5. Supportive measures for caregivers

6. Education and Consultation to involved community members such as employers or teacher

7. Collaborative work with different medical specialities

8. Assistance in a broad range of services including Program Development, Service Provision, Research, Education, Administration and Public policy on Empowerment and rights issues

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