What is Rehabilitation Psychology?

Rehabilitation psychology is a quickly growing applied psychology field that is based on a biopsychosocial model of health and nourishes psychosocial support after the loss of somatic functions. It aims to help people with injury/illness-related disabilities gain healthy independence and daily functioning by applying psychological knowledge & skills via on-ground advocacy, intervention, research studies, therapy, interdisciplinary collaboration, etc. For a person with a physical disability, rehabilitation psychologists measure and heal negative motor, psychological, and emotional impacts. They also help them be more participative again in daily life-related activities and regrow socially meaningful & personally fulfilling interactions.

What issues can Rehabilitation Psychology help with?

Psychologists in this field provide help to improve the quality of life by increasing motivation, resilience to mental/physical changes, self-esteem, etc. This is because these disabilities impact different aspects of life. The help is thus supposed to be cognizant of various bodily, mental, social, and interpersonal environments. Additionally, it is an important part of the process to include their familial or secondary support systems (like colleagues, advisors, etc.) by making them aware and equipped. Similarly, rehabilitation psychologists consult a gamut of people outside of the person with disabilities and their families, like judiciaries, employers, insurance companies, arbitrators, academic institutions, etc. to help with the development of research, public policies, laws, and fairer judgements.

With these aspects and people as a part of a comprehensive rehabilitation psychology plan, it can help a person with these behavioural/psychological families of issues that are injury/chronically triggered: minor/severe psychopathology, positive behavioural changes to adapt to changes, and emotional/mental coping on the same lines. As an example, the following disabilities are covered under this domain: Sensory loss, substance use disorders, neuromuscular disorders, deafness/blindness, aphasia, brain injury/stroke, chronic pain, spinal cord injury, cancer, limb loss, burns, AIDS, etc.

How does rehabilitation psychology work?

Rehabilitation psychology is generally carried out by experts in the following ways:

• To gauge behaviours, changes, adaptability, etc. they administer tests from cognitive science or psychology research, which are a mix of standardised and non-standardized tests. Note that they need to be aware of and should be sensitive to socio-cultural and demographic aspects of the person with disability which include but are not limited to race, sexual orientation, geographical biases, age, linguistic area, gender identity, socio-economic status, etc.
• While regularly monitoring the above traits, interventions which include therapy, behaviour management, team-building social activities, and assistive technology use are implemented. These can be one-on-one or group, they aim for a comprehensive remediation through steady and natural ways that boost a healthier lifestyle.
• Finally both of the above are important for the person with the disability along with their caregivers and support system as mentioned above. They additionally need to be trained in healthy coping mechanisms and it helps to connect with other people in similar roles to foster understanding and provide a safe space for them too.

Read More: Restorative Environments and Mental Health

Psychologists and researchers are also considering other innovative ways like cognitive rehabilitation or human-animal interaction. The former originates from ideas in neuroplasticity is about brains being plastic and can have neural pathways formed and reformed throughout life by reinforcing the present connections (positive behaviours in this case) or creating new ones (adding a more constructive outlook towards vulnerability and friendship in this case).

Read More: Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

The latter finds that the presence of support animals makes perception of psychiatric settings safer and more comfortable, in a way that makes evaluations, conversation, etc. easier. Cognitive rehabilitation can be practised in two broad ways, restorative and compensatory. The former is about strengthening the present neural pathways by practising skills like problem-solving and attention span-increasing exercises. The latter is about creating new neural pathways by helping with creative ways to deal with deficits, like using assistive technology, setting reminders, to-do lists, or supporting pets.

What populations are served by rehabilitation psychology?

Rehabilitation psychologists work with population sections that include persons with neuro-motor injuries like in the brain or spinal cord injury, and persons with age-related conditions like stroke, chronic pain, etc. are also covered. People with more neuromuscular disorders or physical (or limb-related) amputations can obtain support from this method too.

Finally, most disorders that can limit life participation or functioning in general, like developmental issues, autism, substance abuse/addiction, blindness, and other sensory deprivation are greatly benefited by the method too. The expert and caregivers also need to make sure to track and adapt the methods according to changing disorder conditions or the affected person’s mental needs and wants as they keep changing as they progress through the rehabilitation.

Who is qualified to practise rehabilitation psychology?

A rehabilitation psychologist typically has specialised training before and after their psychology doctorate. This training focuses their learnings on specific ways to measure and treat emotional/psychological/behavioural patterns for a more positive disability challenge adaptation. As they need licensing to provide services, they are additionally literate about social dynamics, stigmas, stereotypes, etc. apart from specific disabling conditions, laws, and policies.

Read more: Discussing Discrimination Through Mental Health Lens

Professional Psychology boards like the ABPP for the U.S.A. list this field as one of the ways to practise with a psychology degree. One should ask for relevant certifications before starting to work with them. You can also find rehabilitation psychologists through word-of-mouth references of other doctors in the team treating the disability. This is possible as rehabilitation psychologists work in touch with other doctors in different kinds of spaces like in/outpatient facilities, hospitals, general healthcare clinics, etc. apart from more isolated spaces like disability-specific community agencies or speciality clinics.

Summing Up

In conclusion, rehabilitation psychology is a dynamic force in applied psychology, offering crucial support to individuals with injury or illness-related disabilities. Through a holistic approach encompassing advocacy, disability & personality specific intervention, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration, rehabilitation psychologists address the multifaceted impacts on those with physical disabilities and a variety of mental conditions caused by the same. The field extends its reach beyond physical rehabilitation, delving into the psychological nuances of coping with disabilities such as psychopathology, behavioural changes, and emotional coping.

Customised interventions, including standardised and non-standardized tests, allow rehabilitation psychologists to monitor behaviours, adaptability, and cognitive functions. These targeted strategies, incorporating therapy, behaviour management, and assistive technology, aim for comprehensive rehabilitation, and fostering a healthier lifestyle that maintains a positive outlook to interacting with the self and society. As shown by emerging trends, more methods like cognitive training and human-animal interactions are proving to be helpful as well.

Rehabilitation psychologists serve diverse populations, from neuro-motor injuries to age-related conditions and sensory limitations. The collaborative effort extends to caregivers and support systems, ensuring that the approach is holistic in more ways than one. Qualified professionals undergo specialised training, equipped to navigate the intricate intersection of emotional, psychological, and behavioural challenges associated with disabilities. In essence, rehabilitation psychology is not just a profession; it’s a compassionate and nuanced approach to empowering individuals with disabilities. As the field evolves, its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for those facing challenges remains unwavering.

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