Vocational Counseling Techniques

Vocational counselors provide training to help people with physical or mental disabilities learn job-related skills or to help place them in a job. Counselors will also teach employers about the benefits of hiring a disabled person and will serve as advocates for the disabled.

Assessment

• Many vocational counselors use assessment tests in order to determine clients' skills, abilities and interests for employment. In order to have a successful placement, it is crucial to help the client discover an area where he could excel in. A widely used assessment is the Self-Directed Search developed by Dr. John Holland. The test is relatively short and easy to understand. Assessment is often the most important vocational counseling technique utilized.

Psychoeducational

• Vocational counselors have to work with clients in order to teach job-related skills. One technique used by vocational counselors would be to hold educational workshops to help clients learn everything from finding a job to maintaining a job. Using a psychoeducational approach, vocational counselors would also work one on one with clients, teaching them social skills, resume development and other basic job skills. Role playing interviews and other job situations can also be useful.

Case Management

• Vocational counselors will act as case managers for their clients. Using community resources, vocational counselors will look for suitable jobs for their clients. Counselors help clients find appropriate clothing to wear to an interview and help transport clients if needed. Vocational counselors have to be resourceful in order to locate jobs for their clients. Counselors also have to be persistent to encourage companies to hire people with disabilities.

Support and Advocacy

• Vocational counselors have to be available and provide ongoing support even after they have placed a client. Supportive counseling following placement is very important to help clients maintain employment. Vocational counselors can serve as intermediaries to help clients deal with employment issues and act on their client's behalf. Vocational counselors also inform the community about disability and act as an advocate for the disabled. Counselors will inform employers in the community about the incentives to hiring someone with a disability.