Closure rates and counselor education: An exploration of why counselors with MRC degrees do not have better client outcomes than other master’s-level counselors

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mackay, Michael M.^{a; *} | Suedmeyer, Eric S.^b | Schiro-Geist, Chrisann^a | West, Steven L.^a | Strohmer, Douglas C.^a

Affiliations: [a] Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA | [b] Raymond G. Murphy VA Hospital, Albuquerque, NM, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Michael M. Mackay, Ph.D., Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, Ball Hall 304A, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. Tel.: +1 901 678 2841; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Research shows counselors with a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling (MRC) do not have different closure rates than counselors with other master’s (OM) degrees that are in rehabilitation-related disciplines. OBJECTIVE:To explore reasons for the lack of differences by comparing MRC and OM counselors on amount of pre-service training in job-related areas (Aim 1), perceptions of preparedness for work (Aim 2), time spent performing job-related activities (Aim 3), and through open-ended responses regarding education and work environment (Aim 4). METHODS:Counselors (53 MRC, 27 OM) completed an online survey assessing pre-service training, perceptions of preparedness, and time spent preforming job-related activities. RESULTS:Aim 1: MRC counselors reported more training in five areas (p-values < 0.001), but not in nine others. Aim 2: MRC counselors felt more prepared for their jobs (p = 0.001). Aim 3: No differences were found regarding time spent performing job-related activities. Aim 4: Responses suggested similar closure rates might stem from high administrative work strain, low client motivation, unavailability of jobs, impact of on-the-job experience, and closure quota demands. CONCLUSIONS:MRC-OM closure rate similarities are not due to inadequate MRC training, low feelings of preparedness for work, or MRC-OM differences in job-related activities; in fact, they may be due to factors unrelated to a counselor’s education.

Keywords: Rehabilitation counseling, closure rate, counselor education, policy and training, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180982

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 389-400, 2018