Our mission is to empower children and adults with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests...

For more information about our clinical services please contact:

Tibisay Guzman
Director of Clinic Services
phone: (914) 949-9300,
ext. 3401
tguzman@
westchesterarc.org

Westchester Arc
Herbert Katzenberg Center
121 Westmoreland Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 949-9300
info@westchesterarc.org

24-hour
Crisis Intervention:
(914) 949-8200

Información en Español


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Vocational Rehabilitation Supports Career Goals

Common items such as combs and pins can be instrumental in determining an individual’s strengths, skills and aptitudes.

Today, more than ever, people with developmental disabilities desire community-based employment. To support that goal, Westchester Arc’s clinic offers vocational rehabilitation counseling, which helps individuals overcome personal and professional barriers and improve their job performance.

“There is a lot of pressure to do a good job and many people are reluctant to go to a boss or co-worker with a problem,” notes masters-prepared counselor Donna Brennan-Barnett. “Rehab counseling provides an outlet to discuss issues and concerns with a trained therapist in a confidential setting.”

Donna works one-on-one with individuals to assess strengths and skills and then develops a rehabilitation plan that fits each person’s aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities and career goals. Sessions also teach interview techniques, time management and office etiquette. In many cases, rehabilitation counseling has helped an employee retain his or her job.

“There was one individual who needed to take a nap during her lunch break but would always oversleep,” says Donna. “I suggested she use an alarm clock. Now she wakes up with plenty of time to get back to work. As a result, her productivity and self-esteem have increased and her employer is very pleased.”