Volume_4_Issue_2_Digest

TPC D igest 29 Lauren K. Osborne is a doctoral student in counseling psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi. Correspondence can be addressed to Lauren K. Osborne, 118 College Drive, #5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39402, lauren.osborne@eagles.usm.edu. U nemployment continues to be a grow- ing concern for many individuals across the United States. Reports cur- rently indicate that 14% of veterans identify as disabled and attribute this disability to their service in the armed forces. Because of ser- vice- and nonservice-related reasons, accom- modating and developing specialized interven- tions for veterans is an increasing need for this population. In the case of career counseling, additional barriers to employment for disabled or impaired veterans may present themselves in the form of beliefs or assumptions about searching for a new occupation or the ability to obtain a job. Barriers to employment such as visual impairment can create an outlook that may be characterized by negative think- ing, lowered confidence in finding a career and making a career decision, and even avoiding self-evaluation regarding what the veteran has to offer a civilian employer. VA Blind Reha- bilitation Centers (BRC) use holistic treatment approaches in promoting improved quality of life for veterans with visual impairments. Evidence from research on implementation and delivery of services continues to suggest that using group approaches to treatment across demographics provides additional therapeutic qualities. Veterans report feeling supported and encouraged when they are exposed to others in a therapeutic setting who share their same experiences and struggles. Thus, the author proposes development of a group approach to career counseling with veterans. Career groups have been implemented effectively in many college and community settings across the nation, but VA treatment centers have yet to fully embrace them. Specifically, the group proposed here applies the principles of the cognitive information processing theory, which targets thinking styles and decision-making patterns that are currently ineffective or unhelpful for individuals as they search for occupations and career fields. Through education regarding Using a Cognitive Information Processing Approach to Group Career Counseling with Visually Impaired Veterans – DIGEST Lauren K. Osborne