Rehabilitation psychologists work with people facing disabilities and chronic illnesses to help them resolve psychological issues. They work in hospitals, clinics, counseling centers, rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living facilities. They provide therapy to manage stress, pain, and confusion, and help patients adjust to significant life changes. They also offer rehabilitation and recovery options and help patients join support groups and other community activities.
A rehabilitation psychologist works with people facing disabilities and chronic illnesses to help them resolve psychological issues that may arise, whether it be a congenital or newly acquired condition. These psychology professionals work in places like hospitals, clinics, counseling centers, rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living facilities. Most of them hold doctorates in the field and many belong to professional organizations of rehabilitation psychologists. Membership in these organizations provides opportunities for continuing education and networking.
Chronic or acute illness and disability can cause significant psychological disruption in a patient’s life. For patients who have just become ill or disabled due to life events, there is usually an adjustment period during which the patient gets used to significant life changes. For example, a person who has a spinal cord injury may need to adjust to using a mobility wheelchair, or a person who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes may need to adjust to managing the condition with diet, medication, and other activities. .
Patients who are born with congenital conditions may also experience psychological distress at various times in their lives. This can be especially common during transitions, such as starting college or entering the workforce. The services of a rehabilitation psychologist can help someone process emotions that may arise and develop coping techniques to manage feelings of stress, depression and emotional overload. The psychologist can offer a variety of types of therapy to manage stress, pain, and confusion.
At a rehabilitation center, a rehabilitation psychologist may meet with patients to discuss the nature of their injuries. The psychologist can talk with patients about rehabilitation and recovery options, such as training to acquire new professional skills, as well as learning adaptive techniques for performing tasks. This could include things like teaching a new wheelchair user how to cook safely or helping a person who has cognitive problems after a stroke relearn how to speak. The psychologist may also meet with friends and family to discuss the situation and provide tips on how to help the patient adjust.
Each patient is radically different. A rehabilitation psychologist may interact with a large number of patients who feel very different about their conditions and must adapt the treatment style to the patient for best results. This work may involve weeks, months, or years of therapy with a patient to work through various issues that may arise. The rehabilitation psychologist can also help the patient join support groups and other community activities that can help with their adjustment.
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