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Abuse Counselors and Psychotherapists
Speak Up brought together counselors and psychotherapists who work with
adults who use AAC in order to identify ways to extend these services for
AAC users.
Focus Group Members
Service Needs
Guidelines
Resources for Abuse Counselors and Psychotherapists:
Focus Group Members [Top]
Carole Baker |
Counselor, Sherbourne Health Centre |
Wyll River |
Counselor, Breakaway |
Nancy Martin |
Social Worker, The Anne Johnston Health Station |
Aaron Shelbourne |
AAC User, Speak Up Project |
Tony Diamanti |
AAC User, Speak Up Project |
Fran Odette |
Sexual Health Educator, Speak Up Project |
Jake Pyne |
Sexual Health Educator, Speak Up Project |
Barbara Collier |
Project Coordinator, Speak Up Project |
Service Needs [Top]
- Most counselors do not receive information through academic training
or professional development on issues related to disability, sexuality,
and abuse. As a result, counselors may lack an understanding of the vulnerability
and issues in supporting AAC users during therapy.
- Counselors are not trained and may have limited experience communicating
with AAC users. In addition, most counselors do not have access to vocabularies
that they can use to support AAC users during counseling.
- Many counseling services are not accessible and do not accommodate
the needs of AAC users.
- The therapeutic process may need to be modified for application
with users of AAC. Traditional “language based” counseling
approaches may create barriers for AAC users due to a heavy reliance on
language. Counselors may not be familiar with or received training on
models of therapy that would meet the needs of AAC users.
- AAC users require a range of counseling services – advocacy,
therapy, problem solving, information etc.
- AAC users are not informed about what counseling services can offer
them.
- Range of services including addiction services cannot be fully
utilized by AAC users.
- Counselors are typically not involved in preventative models including
wellness; anger management, stress management for AAC users.
Guidelines for Counselors and
Psychotherapists Working with People who Use AAC [Top]
- Counselors should have information/training on issues relating to
sexuality and abuse for people who have disabilities.
- Counselors should have information on how to communicate with a person
who uses AAC, the range of physical and communication accommodations required
and where to get support services when working with clients who use AAC.
- Service agencies that provide counseling should accommodate the accessibility
needs of AAC users in all aspects of their work. In cases where physical
accessibility is an issue, agencies should investigate innovative partnerships
and outreach services.
- AAC users need information about the types of counseling services provided
and whether counselors have experience and training in disability and
AAC.
- Agencies need to provide accessible information about their services
to AAC users with limited literacy skills, and those who cannot turn pages
or access the internet.
- AAC users and/or counselors should have access to word / picture
symbol vocabularies which include items that are specific to abuse counseling
needs (i.e.) feelings, abuse, legal issues, conflict, discrimination,
and sexuality.
- Counselors should be informed of community resources for AAC users,
know when and how to advocate on behalf of an AAC user, and how to support
AAC users in decision making etc.
- AAC users need access to the full range of services including addiction
services.
- In order to meet the diverse needs of AAC users, counselors should
also consider non-language-based techniques, e.g. focusing, EMDR, bodywork,
expressive arts, meditation, sand trays, painting, clay, art, drama, music,
movement.
- Counseling services may include therapy, advocacy, provision of information,
navigating health and wellness services in the community.
- Counselors could play a significant role in improving the mental health
and wellness of AAC users.
Speak Up Resources to Support Recommendations for Counselors and Psychotherapists [Top]
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