Certified Rehabilitation Counselor | Licensed Professional Counselor | Licensed Psychological Associate

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program meets specific course and practicum supervision requirements of The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) for licensure as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). The CRCC was incorporated as an independent, not-for-profit organization in 1974, making it the oldest credentialing agency in the rehabilitation and counseling fields. 

The purpose of CRC certification is to ensure that the professionals engaged in rehabilitation counseling meet acceptable standards of quality in practice. Persons who earn the designation of Certified Rehabilitation Counselor have demonstrated that they are of good moral character and possess acceptable knowledge of laws, public regulations and the delivery of rehabilitation services as practiced in the United States . Initial certification is achieved by satisfying specific educational or employment requirements and passing the CRC examination.   Students who have completed 75% of coursework towards the master’s degree are able to take the examination for a discounted registration fee. The commission requires CRC counselors to complete continuing education and certification renewal at five-year intervals in order to enhance the quality of services they provide.

Through their participation in both the certification and certification renewal programs, rehabilitation counselors are able to bring about a higher level of performance and qualification throughout the profession. They uphold the CRCC values of:

1. Facilitating personal and work independence, integration, an inclusion. 

2. Agreeing to uphold and advocate for the dignity and worth of all people with disabilities. 

3. Commitment to promote self-empowerment amongst individuals with a disability. 

4. Providing mutually agreed upon services with a focus on the individual’s assets and with an eye on accommodating for any limitations that are significant enough to cause problems in daily living or work.

A CRC counselor’s scope of practice might include:

1. Assessment & appraisal
2. Diagnosis & treatment planning
3. Career counseling
4. Individual & group interventions to facilitate adjustment to disability issues
5. Case Management
6. Progress evaluation & research
7. Removing barriers to work
8. Consulting with regulatory systems and employers
9. Job analysis, development, placement and accommodation suggestions

Examples of Work Performed by Certified Rehabilitation Counselors:

• Performs advanced level testing and vocational assessments in order to formulate rehabilitation plan and return the individual to the work force.
• Provides vocational and life-adjustment counseling utilizing advanced counseling techniques.
• Collects and assesses medical, psychological and vocational data to determine rehabilitation needs of the disabled client.
• Determines client's eligibility for sponsored services and develops a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to meet the individual disabled client's needs.
• Approves own rehabilitation programs and the rehabilitation programs of other counselors within the unit.
• Assists/advises community employers in developing jobs for disabled clients.
  Serves as a consultant to community employers and businesses regarding structural barriers, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), affirmative action for the disabled, and serve in other advocacy roles for the disabled as appropriate.
• Manages a caseload of Workers' Compensation clients, blind and visually impaired, deaf and hearing impaired and other caseloads of severely disabled clients requiring intense and comprehensive rehabilitation services.
  Conducts advanced level on-site job analysis.

For more information:

CRC Certification
www.crccertification.com

Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors
http://www.crccertification.com/code.html

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Licensed Professional Counselor

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program meets requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. Applicants must have completed a master's degree in counseling or a counseling-related field from an accredited college or university. As part of the graduate program, students must complete a supervised practicum experience that is primarily counseling in nature. The practicum should be at least 300 clock-hours with at least 100 clock-hours of direct client contact.

An applicant must take and pass the National Counselor Exam and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam before applying for a temporary license. After receiving a temporary license from the board, the applicant may begin the supervised post-graduate counseling experience (internship). 3000 clock-hours with at least 1,500 being direct client contact of internship under the supervision of a board-approved supervisor are required. The 3000 clock-hours may not be completed in a time period of less than 18 month. The Board also requires annual renewal of licensure. A licensee must complete 24 hours of continuing education units acceptable to the board within a 24 month period as part of the renewal process.

For more information:

Educational Psychology
http://edpsych.edb.utexas.edu:16080/handbook/licenses/#top

Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/counselor/default.shtm

LPC Code of Ethics
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/counselor/lpc_ethics.shtm

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Licensed Psychological Associate

The Rehabilitation Counseling Program meets specific course and practicum requirements for licensure as a Psychological Associate by the Texas State Board of Examiners. This is a subdoctoral license that allows qualified individuals to practice psychology under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.  All applicants for licensure are required to pass the Jurisprudence Examination and the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). Individuals licensed as a Psychological Associate may perform evaluations, testing and assessments, and provide therapy and counseling under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.  All licensees of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists are required to renew their licenses annually and complete 12 hours of continuing education units.

For more information:

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
http://www.tsbep.state.tx.us/index.html

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