TPC-DIGEST-Vol3Issue3

TPC D igest 22 A Therapeutic Approach for Treating Chronic Illness and Disability Among College Students – DIGEST A n increasing number of college students with disabilities are enrolling in postsecondary education to increase educational attainment, reach career goals, and enhance their overall quality of life. This population is worthy of receiving further attention to understand their daily struggles adapting to this environment. This article discusses the unique barriers and difficulties faced by college students with disabilities when acclimating to a postsecondary environment while simultaneously introducing a new therapeutic perspective. The authors posit that individuals with disabilities transitioning from high school or the world of work into the postsecondary environment may benefit from a theoretical combination of illness intrusiveness and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). First, the importance of identity formation and transition amongst this student population is discussed. Adjustment to a university setting and development of a coherent sense of identity is more difficult in this population, and a rationale for therapeutic interventions is provided to assist in the successful transition and completion of a college education. This is followed by a brief history of counseling with persons with disabilities to further bolster the present article’s theoretical foundation. Furthermore, the significance of seeking appropriate accommodations and utilization of advocacy skills is emphasized in light of Katie L. Haemmelmann Mary-Catherine McClain Katie L. Haemmelmann, NCC, is a predoctoral intern at All Children’s Hospital and the Rothman Center for Pediatric Neuropsychiatry in St. Petersburg, FL. Mary-Catherine McClain is a predoctoral intern at Johns Hopkins University Counseling Center in Baltimore, MD. Correspondence can be addressed to Katie L. Haemmelmann, 3210 Stone Building, 1114 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL 32306, klh08d@my.fsu.edu.