Careers in rehabilitation counseling offer rewards, call for compassion, listening skills, patience

Helping people overcome physical, mental or emotional disabilities and become as self-sufficient as possible is the role of the rehabilitation counselor.

These medical professionals work with patients of all ages in a variety of settings, such as schools, prisons, independent living facilities and private practices. Because many patients are dealing with stressful situations, rehabilitation counselors must be compassionate, have excellent listening skills and possess an abundance of patience.

According to the American Medical Association website, rehabilitation counselors have three key goals when working with patients:

1. Empower individuals to make informed choices.

2. Help individuals achieve positive mental health.

3. Maximize opportunities for economic independence, if possible, by helping individuals obtain employment.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that opportunities for rehabilitation counselors will grow by 28 percent between 2010 and 2020, as a result of the increase in the nation’s senior population, as well as the continuing needs of other groups, such as veterans and people with disabilities.

Most rehabilitation counselors hold a master’s degree, although some employers hire counselors with a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and disability studies.

Some employers prefer to hire licensed counselors; counselors working in private practice must be licensed. Licensure requires a master’s degree and 2,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.

In 2010, the national median pay for rehabilitation counselors was $32,350 per year, or $15.55 per hour.

To find out more about a career in rehabilitation counseling, visit www.bls.gov and type “rehabilitation counselor” in the search box, or visit

www.ama-assn.org, click on the “Education & Careers” tab, then select “Careers in Health Care.”