A rehabilitation psychologist works with people who are disabled or have a chronic illness to help them deal with any psychological issues that may arise, whether the condition is congenital or acquired later in life. Hospitals, clinics, walk-in counseling centers, rehabilitation centers, and assisted living facilities are all places where psychology professionals work. The majority of them have doctoral degrees in the field, and many are members of rehabilitation psychology professional organizations. Membership in such organizations allows you to continue your education and network.
Illness and disability, whether chronic or acute, can have a significant psychological impact on a patient’s life. There is often an adjustment period for patients who have recently become ill or disabled as a result of life events, during which the patient becomes accustomed to significant life changes. A person with a spinal cord injury, for example, may need to adjust to using a wheelchair for mobility, just as someone newly diagnosed with diabetes may need to adjust to managing the disease through diet, medications, and other activities.
Patients with congenital conditions may experience psychological distress at different times throughout their lives. This is especially common during times of transition, such as when starting college or entering the workforce. A rehabilitation psychologist can assist someone in processing their emotions and developing coping techniques to deal with stress, depression, and emotional overload. To deal with stress, pain, and confusion, the psychologist can provide a variety of therapies.
A rehabilitation psychologist may meet with patients in a rehabilitation facility to discuss the nature of their injuries. The psychologist can discuss rehabilitation and recovery options with the patients, such as retraining to learn new job skills and learning adaptive techniques for performing tasks. This could include things like teaching a new wheelchair user how to cook safely or assisting someone who has had a stroke and needs to relearn how to speak. Friends and family members may be invited to meet with the psychologist to discuss the situation and receive advice on how to help the patient adjust.
Each patient is a one-of-a-kind individual. A rehabilitation psychologist may work with a diverse group of patients, all of whom have very different perspectives on their conditions, and must tailor treatment to the patient’s needs in order to achieve the best results. This work may entail working with a patient for weeks, months, or years to address various issues that may arise. The rehabilitation psychologist may also assist the patient in joining support groups or participating in other community-based activities that will aid in his or her adjustment.