Therapeutic alliance in vocational rehabilitation counseling: assessing client factors and functioning

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic relationship is often acknowledged as one of the most significant factors in clinical process that influences client outcomes. OBJECTIVE: While considerable research has been conducted on the therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy, there is a paucity of research on the impact of the therapeutic relationship in vocational rehabilitation counseling settings. METHODS: This study explored the relationship between areas of client functioning (individual, interpersonal, social, and overall) and the therapeutic alliance among clients who receive services from the State vocational rehabilitation agency. RESULTS: In this study, younger clients (ages between 16 to 29) reported stronger therapeutic alliance. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that clients’ perceived individual, interpersonal and overall functioning have a significant positive relationship with the task and bond components of therapeutic relationship.

Launching and supporting the SGA Project in Kentucky and Minnesota: Experiences and perspectives of the Senior Technical Assistance Team

BACKGROUND: The SGA Project tested a rapid coordinated team approach in Kentucky and Minnesota. OBJECTIVE: The authors are members of a five-person Senior Technical Assistance (TA) Team that supported Kentucky and Minnesota as host sites in a l randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The TA team participated in a planning and implementation phase over the course of three years. At closeout, the TA team interviewed SVRA personnel on participation, recommendations, and challenges. RESULTS: TA was adapted to the needs of each state vocational rehabilitation agency to identify solutions to capacity challenges, staff training, concerns about randomization, and team approaches. In both Kentucky and Minnesota, the dedicated TA team balanced the fidelity of the model with the need to align solutions with agency priorities, goals, and culture. CONCLUSIONS: Provision of intensive TA to support state vocational rehabilitation agencies to participate in a research intervention requires a focus on counselor skills and expectations, attention to competing priorities and interests of State VR Agencies, and an ability to build relationships at multiple levels of the agency.

Penerapan Konseling Adiksi Narkoba di Balai Rehabilitasi Badan Narkotika Nasional (BNN) Tanah Merah Samarinda

In East Kalimantan, many people use Substance Use Disorders (GPZ) due to drug use that require counseling services in rehabilitation. Related research to study the qualifications and competencies of counselors involving drug counseling, techniques used, evaluation, coordination and solutions in the application of drug counseling at the National Narcotics Rehabilitation Agency (BNN) Tanah Merah-Samarinda. This research uses descriptive qualitative method. Data sources consist of primary and secondary data sources. Collection techniques used are interviews, observation, and study documentation. Data analysis techniques consist of data reduction, data display, conclusion drawing. The technique of checking validity data uses credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The results showed that this study involved 13 people, 11 people from health education and 1 psychologist. Counseling techniques used consist of individual counseling, group counseling and family counseling as well as cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT). Clients receive experience and knowledge to support healthy and proven life. The hard character of the client and the negative family stigma often become difficult in providing services. However, through the approval of individual humanists, patience and high service commitment can work well.

Services for Consumers Who Are Deafblind: Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Service Models Utilized and Their Effectiveness

Introduction: Little is known about how state-federal vocational rehabilitation agencies provide services to consumers who are deafblind. The purpose of this study was to investigate these service models and their effectiveness. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was utilized with data from interviews with 51 vocational rehabilitation agency administrators and the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report. Information about how these agencies serve deafblind consumers was combined with data from 2,119 consumers served by those agencies to determine competitive employment rates based on service model type. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests of independence, and logistic regression analysis were utilized. Results: Four vocational rehabilitation agency service models were identified: specialist, professional collaboration, specialist plus professional collaboration, and miscellaneous. Significant differences in competitive employment closure rates were found based on service model type, in both univariate and multivariate analyses. The specialist and professional collaboration models were superior to miscellaneous models. Discussion: This study is the first empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation services for consumers who are deafblind. The results support two previous recommendations about providing services to consumers who are deafblind: establish a deafblind coordinator or specialist position and use a dual-case approach (collaboration between general-service agencies and those for people who are visually impaired). Implications for agencies: To improve competitive employment outcomes for individuals who are deafblind, vocational rehabilitation agency administrators should explore options for specialized deafblind positions and promote collaboration within and beyond their agency.

PELATIHAN PENINGKATAN ABSTINENCE SELF EFFICACY PADA PENGGUNA NARKOBA DI PUSAT REHABILITASI

PKM Activities Drug Users are conducted in two institutions in Medan City, which referred as Drug Rehabilitation Center are Narcotics Prevention Rehabilitation Agency (LRPPN) and Rumah Ummi, according to the guidance of the dedication partner of the North Sumatra Narcotics Community Information Center (PIMANSU) each involving 10 drug users from LRPPN and 5 drug users from Rumah Ummi. The problem in both centers is the high number of relapse from drug users because of the lack of attention into build stronger mind and behavior patterns to return to vulnerable communities. This relapse problem can be minimized by increasing abstinence of self efficacy (ASE) that is a belief to refuse using drugs again. Therefore, the main objective and target of PKM Drug Users activities is to enable drug users to face high risk situations through increasing ASE. Target activities include restructuring the irrational mind to be rational as well as understanding the techniques on facing high risk situations. Several methods are used in the achievement of the objectives of field surveys as well as group discussions, frequently asked questions, assignments and reviews. The solutions offered consist of (1) training to recognize the irrational thoughts of drug-related behavior, (2) training to test the truth of the benefits of using drugs, (3) training to recognize high risk situations common to drug users and (4) training using 5 techniques when dealing with situations that potentially trigger relapse.