Jared C. Schultz

Clinical Supervision in Public Rehabilitation Counseling Settings

The present study examined clinical supervision in posteducational rehabilitation counseling settings. The purpose of the study was twofold: to assess the current practice of clinical supervision in the public sector and to empirically validate a model of supervision within the context of a posteducational setting. Current clinical supervisory models and practices, as well as factors that affected the quality of the supervisory working alliance, are discussed.

Counseling Training in AuD Programs: A Syllabi Review.

36 The Hearing Journal August 2017 A cross many health professions, the important role of counseling within service delivery is increasingly recognized for playing a crucial part in the emotional and psycho-social well-being of patients. How providers communicate with patients and attend to the emotional aspects of care can influence treatment adherence (Med Care. 2009;47[8]:826), retention and comprehension of information (Med Care. 1988;26[7]:657), and the development of trust within the relationship (PEC. 2015;98[12]:1550). Thus, gaining insight into how audiology graduate programs train students in counseling can guide future efforts to enhance preparation of audiologists in this area. The importance of including counseling training in audiology programs is not a new concept. Two meaningful studies were conducted to describe the status of counseling training in communicative disorder programs (both speech-language pathology and audiology) for students earning a master’s degree in the United States (ASHA. 1986;28[9]:49; ASHA. 1994;36[6]:65). Both studies

The Factor Structure, Internal Consistency, and Convergent Validity of Two Suicide Assessment Competency Measures in Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

We analyzed the psychometric properties of two published self-report suicide assessment competency rating scales—the Suicide Competency Inventory (SCI) and the Suicide Competency Assessment Form (SCAF)—in a multistate sample of 223 public-sector vocational rehabilitation counselors. Both measures demonstrated very good to excellent internal consistency in our sample. Exploratory factor analysis indicated the SCI loads on a three-factor model whereas the SCAF loads on a single factor; these are consistent with the theoretical scale structures proposed by the original authors of the scales. In addition, both scales were highly correlated with each other, providing strong initial evidence of construct validity. In sum, our results support the use of these measures as a reliable and valid means of assessing perceived suicide assessment competency in rehabilitation counselors.

Counselling users of hearing technology: a comprehensive literature review

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this review is to determine the scope of peer-reviewed empirical research related to counselling in audiology with patients using hearing technology and to identify limitations and gaps to guide recommendations for future research. Design: A rapid evidence assessment was used to identify relevant articles for the review. Study sample: Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Results: Three themes were identified: (1) audiologist counselling perspectives, (2) counselling communication trends in practice and (3) audiologist experiences with professional training and reported patient outcomes. Findings revealed audiologists are more confident providing information than counselling that addresses adjustment aspects, and other communication gaps have been observed. Conclusions: There is limited research related to counselling in audiology. Audiologists continue to report a need for more training in counselling in their graduate programmes. Additional research is needed to determine effective ways to implement counselling in practice and to improve graduate student supervision for the development of counselling competencies and confidence in using skills in practice.

Experience, Knowledge, and Perceived Comfort and Clinical Competency in Working With Suicidal Clients Among Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors:

Despite the well-documented elevated rates of suicidality among people with disabilities, no published research has examined rehabilitation counselors’ experiences or perceived competency in suicide assessment or intervention. In the present study, we surveyed 223 vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors from state VR offices in eight states regarding their experiences with, knowledge of, and perceived comfort with and competency in suicide assessment and intervention. Almost a quarter of participants worked with suicidal clients once a month or more, with more than half reporting working with suicidal clients at least once a year. Two thirds of participants reported having received some training related to suicide, and participants demonstrated both a good knowledge of suicide myths and facts, and a willingness to work with suicidal clients. However, most participants did not perceive themselves as being competent in core skills related to suicide assessment and intervention. These results suggest that more clinical training in suicide assessment and intervention is needed for VR counselors.

Counseling in Audiology: Au.D. Students' Perspectives and Experiences

Counseling in audiology is an important aspect of service delivery. How audiologists interact with patients and foster counseling relationships to help patients and families understand and live with hearing loss can impact outcomes of audiological interventions. Currently, variability exists in how graduate training programs are teaching counseling skills, and the extent to which counseling skills development is supported in clinical experiences is unclear. This article seeks to explore the perspectives related to the importance of counseling and counseling training experiences received through clinical instruction of Au.D. students beginning their final year of study, to identify where counseling training might be limited, and to examine how counseling skills might be better supported. Findings revealed that students generally appreciate the importance of counseling in audiology. Data suggest that how students are supported in developing counseling skills appears to be variable and unstructured.

Exploring Rehabilitation Counseling Supervisors’ Role in Promoting Counselor Development of Ethical Fluency

Clinical supervision plays an integral role in the professional development of counselors, particularly for developing their awareness of ethical service delivery and decision making. This grounded theory study queried eight rehabilitation counseling supervisors, four from a state rehabilitation agency and four from a nonprofit community rehabilitation organization. The purpose of the study was to determine supervisor perspectives regarding their role in the development of ethical decision making in their supervisees. The emergent construct from the data is termed ethical fluency. Ethical fluency is a cognitive ability representing the interaction between acculturation knowledge, fluid reasoning, and the speed and accuracy with which ethical dilemmas are recognized and processed. Supervisors in this study reported playing a key role in developing ethical fluency in counselors, and the supervisory working alliance was an integral platform from which to approach discussions on ethics. Recommendations for improved practice and future research are provided.

Effectiveness of a Training Program to Enhance Clinical Supervision of State Vocational Rehabilitation Personnel

A training program to improve clinical supervision behavior, knowledge, self-efficacy, and working alliance among state vocational rehabilitation supervisors (SVRS) was studied. SVRS (n = 180) were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. To further validate training effectiveness, counselors (n = 350) who were assigned to both groups of supervisors also completed parallel outcome measures evaluating their supervisors’ performance. Results indicate differential impact when comparing changes across baseline, Posttest 1 (approximately 6 weeks after baseline), and Posttest 2 data collection (approximately 6 months after baseline) between both supervisory groups. Specifically, in comparison with the control group, supervisors who received the training reported greater changes at Posttest 1 regarding time spent in individual supervision, frequency, and time devoted to group supervision as well as perceived value in providing clinical supervision. Posttest 2 evaluation between groups noted differences in clinical supervision knowledge and behavior, frequency of individual supervision sessions, and time spent in group supervision. In contrast, counselors assigned to one of the supervisory groups reported few differences in parallel outcome measures. Although the intervention provided some support for its effectiveness for supervisors, further modifications are needed before a valid training model exists for rehabilitation counseling.

“It’s Awful When We Get It Wrong”: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors’ Perspectives on Suicide

Despite the high prevalence of suicide among people with disabilities, little research has explored suicide in the context of the vocational rehabilitation (VR) system. We analyzed the responses of 27 VR counselors who responded to an open-ended qualitative prompt regarding their experiences with suicide training and competency. Key themes included a desire for more training on suicide and the experience of seeking and receiving suicide training and experience outside of VR. Responses also underscored the heavy emotional impact of working with suicidal clients, especially when one feels unprepared to do so. These results suggest that it is important to provide VR counselors with resources and training for addressing suicide in their client populations.

“I Honestly Would Not Have Known What to Do”: An Exploratory Study of Perspectives on Client Suicide Among Vocational Rehabilitation Support Staff

Despite the high prevalence of suicide both overall and among people with disabilities in particular, little research has explored suicide in the context of the vocational rehabilitation (VR) system or in counseling support staff in general. We analyzed the responses of 14 VR support staff who responded to an open-ended qualitative prompt regarding their experiences with suicide training and competency. Key themes included a perceived lack of and desire for more training regarding suicide, seeking and receiving suicide training outside of VR, and a perceived lack of resources for working with suicidal clients. Responses also underscored the heavy emotional impact of working with these clients, especially when one feels unprepared to do so. These results suggest that it is important to provide VR support staff with resources and training for addressing suicide in their client populations.