Affiliations: University of Florida, FL, USA. E-mail:
LShaw@phhp.ufl.edu | Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA,
USA | University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA
Note: [] Linda R. Shaw is an associate professor and Elizabeth Hannold is
a doctoral candidate, Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, University of
Florida. Brian T. McMahon is a research professor, Departments of Physical
Medicine/Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Counseling, Virginia Commonwealth
University. Fong Chan is a professor, Department of Rehabilitation Psychology
and Special Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Abstract: Working Alliance has been described as a collaborative process
characterized by shared goals, tasks and attachment bonds The development of a
strong working Alliance is desirable in a rehabilitation system that embraces
full and meaningful involvement from consumers. It has been suggested that the
Working Alliance is dependent upon four factors that include congruence between
counselor and consumer expectancies regarding counseling. This article
describes a training protocol to help counselors develop awareness and specific
skills aimed at consumers achieving greater congruence in expectations early in
the rehabilitation counseling process. The protocol utilizes both didactic and
experiential instruction and includes values clarification activities, use of
the Expectations About Rehabilitation Counseling (EARC) Scale, and a conflict
resolution approach to expectation convergence. Training protocols, materials,
and processes are presented along with discussion regarding the impact of the
training protocol on participating counselors.
Keywords: rehabilitation counseling, Expectations about Rehabilitation Counseling (EARC) Scale, consumer-counselor work relationships
