Restrictive Counselor Role Determinants

Abstract

Looking over the history of rehabilitation in the United States it becomes apparent why rehabilitation counselors have not agreed upon role identity. Efforts to define the counseling role has often resulted in restrictive practices reducing professional practices to skilled trades. Consideration should be given to broadening rehabilitation counselor role definitions reserving restrictive specifications for counselor functions determined by setting, clientele, and expertise. Certification and ethical standards will have little meaning if we have restrictive role identity to the degree that we cannot continue meeting fluctuations in national priorities. Attitudes toward counselor roles reflect agency structure or needs, counselor needs, and client needs, all of which may become professionally restrictive. Professional strength and accountability must be determined as the V. R. benefit/cost ratio decreases. Rehabilitation counselors' prime concern is for the rehabilitation needs of the handicapped persons. We serve and have identity only to the extent that we attend those needs.