Master of Arts [M.A] [Rehabilitation and Counselor Education] From University of Iowa

The program prepares professional counselors to provide assistance in psychological wellness, employment, independent living, and personal or economic development to persons with disabilities and other individuals who encounter barriers in meeting their own functional needs. It also prepares counselors in?mental health counseling/psychiatric rehabilitation?to obtain licensure as professionals who provide services in mental health settings.

Rehabilitation and mental health counselors work in a variety of settings, including public agencies such as state vocational rehabilitation programs and Veterans Affairs vocational rehabilitation programs; independent living centers; community-based rehabilitation centers and supported employment; community mental health centers; psychiatric rehabilitation programs; and private for-profit worker's compensation and insurance rehabilitation agencies. They provide interventions designed to help persons with disabilities adapt to the demands of their environments. They also prepare the environments to accommodate an individual's needs. Assessment, personal and vocational counseling, development of rehabilitation and treatment plans, case management, service coordination, psychosocial adjustment, job development, placement, and follow-up are typical services that rehabilitation and mental health counselors provide.