Rehabilitation Counseling: A Vital Discipline in Disability Services
Welcoming Emily Skadorwa, Clinical Case Manager
At Whitmire & Associates, we believe deeply in meeting each client where they are — and building a coordinated, person-centered path forward. One of the most important, yet often under-recognized, disciplines in this work is rehabilitation counseling.
Rooted in a holistic and strengths-based approach, rehabilitation counseling focuses on helping individuals with disabilities achieve personal, career, and independent living goals through a therapeutic relationship. Whether the challenge is physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral, rehabilitation counselors work across systems to remove barriers and promote meaningful participation in life.
This discipline is uniquely positioned at the intersection of health, function, psychology, and social systems. It incorporates an understanding of the medical, emotional, educational, vocational, and psychosocial aspects of disability, allowing professionals to guide clients through transitions and support plans that honor dignity and autonomy.
What sets rehabilitation counseling apart is its comprehensive lens. While some disciplines might focus on one system (such as mental health or vocational services), rehabilitation counselors are trained to move across systems—bringing a coordinated view that can be especially helpful for individuals with complex needs. They are often at the center of interdisciplinary teams, translating between providers, advocating across service silos, and keeping the individual’s long-term goals in sight.
For families and clients navigating life after a diagnosis, injury, or psychiatric crisis, this approach can be transformative. It’s not just about recovery or symptom management — it’s about re-engaging with life, building skills, restoring confidence, and connecting to resources that make long-term success possible.
That’s why we’re thrilled to share that Emily Skadorwa has joined our team as a Clinical Case Manager. Emily is a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) with experience supporting young adults and adults with neurodiversity, mental health needs, I/DD, and dual diagnoses. She brings a background in care coordination, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based planning — all with a deep understanding of how to build individualized care pathways that work in real life.
Emily’s work is grounded in the belief that people are the experts in their own lives. As a clinician and case manager, she blends empathy and practicality — helping clients and families navigate systems, implement plans, and move toward greater independence. Her experience spans residential services, outpatient behavioral health, vocational support, and benefit coordination — making her an ideal fit for our multidisciplinary team.
Our clients often live with overlapping challenges that require thoughtful, long-term support: managing a psychiatric discharge while also coordinating housing, public benefits, and trust services; navigating young adult transitions alongside mental health recovery; or building vocational capacity while living with a disability. With Emily on board, we are even better positioned to meet these needs and walk alongside our clients with both expertise and compassion.
Please join us in welcoming Emily to the team — and if you're curious about how a clinical case manager or rehabilitation counselor might support your family’s journey, we’d love to connect.