Application of the KVI-R to Assess Current Training Needs of Private Rehabilitation Counselors

The primary purpose of this mixed-methods study was to identify the current training needs of rehabilitation counselors in the private sector. Four hundred twenty-six participants completed the Knowledge Validation Inventory-Revised. The self-reported needs for training are reported across the 10 knowledge domains of rehabilitation counseling. The overall training needs (TN) score for the sample was moderate. For the broader knowledge domains, respondents reported the highest mean TN scores for Case Management and Utilization of Community Resources, Disability Management, Vocational Consultation, and Services for Employers. A secondary purpose was to compare the self-perceived training needs of rehabilitation counselors who are certified rehabilitation counselors (CRCs) with those of counselors who do not possess a CRC. Higher reported training needs were indicated for individuals without CRCs. A third purpose was to examine the relationship between counselor demographic variables and training needs. Gender and years of experiences were significant predictors of perceived training needs. Finally, the following areas were identified as the most significant training needs for private rehabilitation counselors in the field today: multicultural competence, private vocational rehabilitation, labor market research skills, ethics, and forensic case management.