Rehabilitation Psychology

Rehabilitation psychology is a specialty focused on service to individuals with physical and cognitive impairments through the implementation of assessment and intervention procedures that are person-centered and focused on promotion of health, quality of life, independence, personal choice, daily functioning, and social role participation. Consistent with the current International Classification of Function set forth by the World Health Organization, the field of rehabilitation psychology conceptualizes disability as an interaction between the person, task, and environment. Rehabilitation psychologists practice as members of an interdisciplinary team and implement assessment and intervention procedures aimed at optimizing psychosocial adaptation and enhancing physical, emotional, and cognitive function while minimizing the risk of secondary complications associated with chronic health conditions.