Consultation, Supervision, and Advocacy Plan

Consultation, Supervision, and Advocacy Plan

Samantha M. Lewis

COUN5223 – Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling

November 28, 2016

Capella University

Consultation, Supervision, and Advocacy Plan

        During this assignment, I will be identifying a population with mental health counseling needs; I will evaluate, describe, identify, propose, and make recommendations on how to serve this population. I currently work for a government agency that provides an array of supportive assistance to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I am passionate about working in the mental health field as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. While reading this paper, you will understand how I am able to provide consultation on improving and rehabilitating the population that I currently serve. I believe that people with disabilities, given the right opportunities can work and be fully integrated into mainstream society and the work place. Vocational rehabilitation services can reduce or remove barriers to employment.

Serving [Your Selected Population]

Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs) are employed in many different types of rehabilitation service agencies, transition programs, and advocacy agencies (Fig Tree Counseling, 2010). Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are trained to work with individuals who have a disability which may include the following: developmental disability, psychiatric disability, physical disability, substance abuse and/or dependence (Fig Tree Counseling, 2010). The objective as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor is to protect the rights of persons with disabilities; to alleviate the discrimination based on the ground of disability; to promote dignity, ability, and capability the Persons with Disabilities; to enhance equal and full participation of the Persons with Disabilities in the national development task; and to prepare them for, secure, regain or retain employment.

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) traditionally refers to the provision of some type of service to enhance the employability of an individual who has been limited by a disabling physical condition. Physical disabilities, chronic diseases, congenital problems, and psychiatric conditions can adversely affect vocational opportunities and development in many ways. Individuals with these conditions may experience considerable mobility restrictions; have restricted access to certain environments essential for education, work performance, or training; or have limited educational and training opportunities during their childhood and youth that subsequently impair their preparation for work. Historically, people with disabling conditions have attracted the attention of social and private agencies as they often face daunting obstacles to full participation in their communities including employment.

Counseling Services across the Continuum of Care

As I am currently working for a Rehabilitation Service, we often request consultation services from other agencies. Workers compensation is an agency that could request for rehabilitation services. An injured worker or an employer/insurer may request rehabilitation consultation/services. The request is put in place to help an injured worker to return to work or make a plan for how to find another job. One of the considerations about whether an injured worker receives rehabilitation services is if there are physical restrictions or a permanent partial disability caused by the work injury. Therefore, it is important to attach a doctor’s report that describes the physical restrictions or permanent partial disability and indicates whether they are due to the work injury. The services would fit within the continuum of care available in the community.

Rehabilitation Counselors can be found in private practice, in rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, universities, schools, government agencies, insurance companies and other organizations where people are being treated for congenital or acquired disabilities. Social workers protect vulnerable children and support families in need of assistance. Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. A career counselor is an individual trained to aid people with their career choice. Whether the person is new to the working world, or simply desires a change of profession, the career counselor will be able to guide them in the best possible direction. Mental health counselors help patients work through personal issues like anger management, depression, suicidal thoughts, aging, parenting, self-image, relational problems, stress, or addiction (Mental Health America, 2012). They provide psychotherapy, assessment, diagnosis, substance abuse treatment, and crisis management.

Consultation Plan

Whenever possible, treatment should be modified as needed to meet the individual client's specific needs. A thorough client assessment covering multiple dimensions will enable treatment providers to determine what modifications to treatment are required. An assessment is great to use when doing research (Mental Health America, 2012). In this process evidence is gathered and data is interpreted in order to make needed changes.

Once eligibility is established, a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor will assist the individual in developing an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The IPE identifies the vocational goal and the services that will be provided in order to achieve that goal. To help people with disabilities obtain employment, I will provide comprehensive rehabilitation services, which may include: information and referral, assessment services, counseling and guidance, physical restoration, vocational training or other post-secondary education, job search, job placement and job coaching, supported employment.