March 22 of each year is designated as a Happy Day to Celebrate Rehabilitation Counseling!
A bouquet of pink roses, along with dark chocolate layer cake with vanilla bean ice cream help make the day turn even happier!
My career choice is Rehabilitation Counseling, a unique job for high-energy people who want to make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities. It’s also a challenging job that requires creativity and vision to see possibilities where others see only problems.
Here’s a great booklet prepared by the Rehab Services Administration, Department of Education describing the profession, rehab jobs, and information you’ve always wanted to know! It’s the source for some of the paragraphs in this post.
It seems when I reply that my master’s degree is in “Rehabilitation Counseling” often the person wants to know if that involves drugs and alcohol. The answer is no (although at times a case does involve an individual using some degree of drugs and alcohol in an unhealthy way).
I explain to my listener that I chose a different path as a rehab counselor and provide consulting services on litigated cases involving work and disability. Then I usually get a ‘oh that’s cool’ response and I continue the conversation, keeping in mind the context and scope of what I share about my work depends on the nature of the inquisition! (In other words, do I think the person asking really wants to know more about what I do or not?!) I definitely trust my intuition.
Rehab Counseling is a High Energy Profession!
In short, the goal of rehabilitation counseling is empowering people with (or even without) disabilities to make informed choices, build viable careers, and live more independently in their community.
Rehabilitation counseling trains professionals who will be dedicated to working with individuals with disabilities in order to help them achieve productive and independent lives. Just as other counseling tracks, rehabilitation counseling educational programs – in order to produce competent and certifiable professionals – are at the master’s level.
Drake University, School of Education, Des Moines, Iowa offers an excellent Council of Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredited master’s level Rehabilitation Counseling Program. This accreditation enables graduates of the program to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) sets the standard for quality rehabilitation counseling services in the United States and Canada.
Drake’s Mascot Spike with a Nice Bike!
Below’s another great bulldog picture. She has experience in Drake’s Beautiful Bulldog contest! Her name is Fat Amy. She owns Jeska Reese Dean, a family friend. Fat Amy has made her way over the rainbow bridge.
Fat Amy is Experienced!
I completed all required coursework at Drake University in the Master of Science in Counseling program. In addition, I took extra coursework focusing on job placement and mental health.
I was then eligible to take a national examination which I took on October 30, 2004, and upon passing, I earned the coveted CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor) designation. Since then, I re-certify every five years which requites earning 100 hours of continuing education, 10 which must be in ethics.
For background purposes, there are two main sections of the CRC exam: Counseling and Rehabilitation/Disability. A statistical procedure called equating is used to ensure all examinees demonstrate the same level of ability in order to pass the exam. Here’s my results:
Counseling Section:
Amy E. Botkin’s Scaled Score: 598
Passing Scaled Score: 500
&
Rehabilitation/Disability Section:
Amy E. Botkin’s Scaled Score: 628
Passing Scaled Score: 500
Here’s a copy of my CRCC Certificate (I know it’s a bit blurry)
I love my career and every day try my hardest to use my talents wisely!
Please let me know if you have questions about the profession, my education, or the professional associations and groups I belong to. It may be a good career option for someone you know!
If your career is in law, please contact me at 515-778-0634 or by email at amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com to ask me questions regarding how my work helps attorneys help their clients!
BTW, when is Attorney Appreciation Day?
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My professional consulting practice focuses on helping attorneys help their clients with civil litigation matters.
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