scholarly journals Compassion and Self-compassion: Conceptualization of and Application to Adjustment to Disability

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Stuntzner

For many, disability may ignite feelings of grief, sadness, loss, and/or emotional pain. Others discover they harbor negative or self-critical thoughts and beliefs (i.e., blame) which compounds and complicates the personal coping process. Adjustment to disability models exist to help persons with disabilities and professionals understand or explain their negative thoughts, feelings, and experiences; yet, they do not overtly discuss or address emerging skills and approaches such as compassion and selfcompassion as a part of the disability adjustment process. In an effort to change this trend, an eclectic theoretical model which infuses self-compassion and compassion-based techniques has been developed. Rehabilitation counselors are provided with an explanation of the ways existing research on compassion and self-compassion can be used to strengthen their application to the adjustment needs of persons with disabilities. Information about how to incorporate compassion and self-compassion into the rehabilitation counseling adjustment process and recommendations are also provided.

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Stuntzner

Compassion and self-compassion are two constructs emerging within the research as useful agents in reducing negative thoughts, feelings, and outcomes while also promoting positive ones. To date, these constructs have not been studied or applied to the rehabilitation counseling profession or the needs ofindividuals with disabilities. In an effort to bridge this gap and to enhance rehabilitation counseling professionals' awareness of their potential value, an in-depth review of the literature and research on these two constructs was conducted. Throughout this article, compassion and self-compassion are more clearly conceptualized and barriers which may hinder their development are discussed. A review of empirical research is provided to help demonstrate their usefulness as potential healing agents in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Recommendations are proved to rehabilitation counseling professionals who work with persons with disabilities.


2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-192
Author(s):  
Charles Bernacchio ◽  
Eileen J. Burker ◽  
Donna Falvo ◽  
Patricia Porter ◽  
Stacia Carone

The option for specialization is explored to address expanding roles for rehabilitation counselors. Several important considerations are identified for Rehabilitation Counselor Education (RCE) program faculty opting for a specialization. Development of specialty tracks in psychiatric and developmental disabilities are offered as viable options for a master's degree program in rehabilitation counseling. Authors discuss a model using a collaborative capacity-building process in response to national and state needs of persons with disabilities relative to rehabilitation counseling specialization.


1999 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Stebnicki ◽  
Stanford E. Rubin ◽  
Carolyn Rollins ◽  
Tyra Turner

This article proposes a holistic multicultural counseling approach, using a case illustration, that teaches rehabilitation counselors to recognize and appreciate both the individual uniqueness and human commonalities among persons with disabilities. This approach includes, but is not limited to: racial/ethnic identity, religious affiliation, gender, disability and socioeconomic status. A key supposition underlying the proposed approach is that effective counseling is individualized and an emphasis should be on understanding what is useful or meaningful to the client as a person, rather than viewing the person only as a representative of a certain racial/ethnic/cultural group.


1997 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory G. Garske ◽  
Marcel Soriano

For persons with disabilities, help-seeking behavior requires courage, trust, and confidence in others. It is critical for rehabilitation counselors to be cognizant of how they may be perceived by the client. This article focuses on the relationship attitudes, and behaviors which enable the formation of an effective therapeutic relationship. A review is made of the humanistic approaches and conditions relevant to the therapeutic relationship and rehabilitation client outcome. This article is to serve as a primer for rehabilitation counseling students and a review for veteran practitioners.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-143
Author(s):  
Scott Beveridge ◽  
Sarah Durant ◽  
John Penrod

BackgroundThe KVI-R was developed by a team of researchers in collaboration with the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) as a measurement instrument to assess training needs of rehabilitation counselors. The KVI-R includes 92 items measured on two dimensions: importance to the rehabilitation counseling field and degree of preparedness to work in that area.ObjectiveThe objective for this study was to assess and compare training needs reported by private sector and public sector rehabilitation counselors via the KVI-R.MethodsParticipant data for this study was compiled from two previous studies examining rehabilitation counselors working the public sector and a second study examining the private sector. A sample of 442 public sector rehabilitation counselors were recruited from the state-federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies within the federal Mid-Atlantic Region III (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV). A sample of 423 private sector rehabilitation counselors across the United States were recruited through the George Washington University's Forensic Rehabilitation Counseling Certificate Program marketing email list for a total sample of N = 865 Participants responded to two pre- and post- survey questions along with the Knowledge Validation Inventory–Revised (KVI-R) instrument which is used to measure training needs of rehabilitation professionals.FindingsThere were no statistically significant differences shown between the two groups' overall training need or for any KVI-R domain specific need. Both groups indicated that time spent in training was unnecessarily emphasized in areas of group counseling practices and interventions, group counseling theories, and historical philosophical foundations of rehabilitation counseling. Comparing qualitative responses between rehabilitation counselors in the private and the public sector, there were several areas of differences in reported training needs. Those who worked in the public sector reported significantly higher perceived benefits from further training for persons with disabilities (p = .001). Additionally, demographic differences were found between overall years practicing, with private sector counselors having about twice the clinical experience on average compared to the public sector counselors. In addition, private sector counselors had significantly more professional credentials compared to public sector rehabilitation counselors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junfei Lu ◽  
Chu-Ling Lo ◽  
Na Mi Bang ◽  
Devon Romero

The primary goal of rehabilitation counseling services is to holistically enhance quality of life (QOL) of persons with disabilities. However, the spiritual dimension of QOL may be the area least attended to by both rehabilitation counselors and counselor educators. It is imperative to raise attention to and understanding of this dimension and specifically its main indicator—spiritual well-being (SWB). In response, the authors of this study reviewed and examined 15 SWB scales regarding scale domains, item generation, selected sample, scaling approaches, as well as psychometric properties (i.e., reliability and validity). The results raised various issues that should be considered by professionals in rehabilitation counseling when studying SWB and its measurement. Implications were provided with regard to research, practice, and teaching on the topic of SWB in rehabilitation counseling.


2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glacia Ethridge ◽  
Roe A. Rodgers ◽  
Ellen S. Fabian

Traditional rehabilitation counseling has focused primarily on serving persons with disabilities in state-federal agencies, using a specific skill set. In recent years, this focus has shifted from the traditional and often narrowed focus of rehabilitation counseling, to a more contemporary and broader scope of practice. This article attempts to summarize and discuss the new emerging roles and functions of rehabilitation counselors, new specialty areas, and new employment settings within the field. Conclusions and recommendations are also discussed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
Caldwell Joe ◽  
J. Alston Reginald

The Affordable Care Act includes many new provisions for long-term services and supports (LTSS). Among these are several new options, improvements, and incentives within Medicaid to balance service systems and expand access to home and community-based services. In addition, the Affordable Care Act authorizes the establishment of a new voluntary national long-term care insurance program, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Program. This article discusses some of the major provisions and implementation. It also examines how the major principles of rehabilitation counseling are central to advancing LTSS policy and how rehabilitation counselors can play a key role in ensuring quality LTSS services for persons with disabilities.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy M. Greaves ◽  
Cass Dykeman

Rates of Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has have steadily been on the risen among in adolescents and young adults. This study collected pro-NSSI public blog posts from Tumblr on pro-NSSI and analyzed the content linguistically using LIWC software. , examining the The NSSI -specific words, the linguistics properties and the psychological linguistic properties were examined. The results align with similar studies conducted on understanding the language markers of mental health. For NSSI specific word categories, the methods of engaging in NSSI was the most frequently used in the Tumblr blogs. This aligns with literature about the need for people to express their emotional pain to others who may understand. The linguistic properties demonstrated some unique results that can be best explained by the numbing feeling that is found in individuals who utilize NSSI and their tendency to avoid expressing painful experiences in a manner that would increase their vulnerability. The psychological properties of these public Tumblr posts were revealed through the dominantly in a negative emotional tone of the writing, which is also indicative of anyone struggling with severe mental illness. These findings suggest that treatment which specializes in shame and increasing self-compassion, such as Compassion Focused Therapy, would be more beneficial to these individuals who struggle with pain, shame and emotional distress than current treatment programs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mookyong Jeon

Purpose:The author describes how rehabilitation counselor educators can incorporate the feminist perspective in teaching rehabilitation counselors-in-training by exploring history, core values, and training methods of feminism.Method:Based on a literature review, the author compares philosophy and concepts of rehabilitation counseling and feminism, reviews the models of feminist supervision, and explores its applicability to rehabilitation counseling.Results:Feminism coincides with the philosophy of rehabilitation counseling in that both share similar perspectives that emphasize equity and justice. When incorporating feminism, the philosophical and conceptual tenets of rehabilitation counseling can be effectively trained through the practices of the rehabilitation counselor such as empowerment and advocacy for clients. Specifically, as a method to disseminate the core values of rehabilitation counseling, feminist supervision provides a structured model to train rehabilitation counselors-in-training.Conclusions:The feminist approach can be incorporated as a viable training method for rehabilitation counselor educators in that feminism provides a useful framework in which not only to view gender, power, and diversity issues but also to train philosophy and core values of rehabilitation counseling.


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