1. Rehabilitation Counseling and Cognitive Therapy
U.W. Medical Center
Karen Ball,M.Ed., CRC
Julie Brunings, M.S., CCC

2. Rehabilitation Process for Return to Work
Assess Job Demands, Strengths and Barriers
Interventions
Individual and Group Therapy
Intense Individual Cognitive Therapy
Tapering of therapy and supporting work related tasks

3. Rehabilitation Process for Return to Work
Job Station
Return Work Accommodations

4. What are the demands? Flight Test Engineer - Lead Manage Personnel
Technical Responsibilities
60 hour weeks and extended periods of travel
High demands for attention to detail, planning and organizing, complex memory retrieval and speed of information processing

5. Barriers
Subtle changes in attention,planning and organizing, complex memory retrieval and speed of information processing
All or nothing thinking
Time off of work 10/01 to 2/04
Tolerance for computer work 26 due to headaches and vision changes
Anxiety and Depression (Divorce)
Pre personality vulnerability to convert emotional distress to physical symptoms.

6. Role of Cognitive Therapy
Evaluate areas of difficulty related to job
Develop and modify strategies
Developing strategies
Structured daily routines
Effective problem-solving
Planning and organizing
Effective recall and follow through

7. Strengths $$$ Incentive to return to work.
Having a job or employer to go back to
Continued contact with co-workers and supervisors
Very bright man with Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and an Athlete (triathlons)
Likeable

8. Interventions
Individual Rehabilitation Counseling and Cognitive Therapy
Group Psychotherapy and Cognitive Group
Job Station
Return to Work Recommendations

9. Job Station A work trial to simulate work tasks
Non threatening environment in which to practice cognitive and emotional coping strategies
Build work tolerance and stamina
Return to a work schedule and routine
Regain self confidence
Dept of Aerospace- Prototype of a Control and Testing Panel
Difficulties with distance, schedules of professor, headaches and retention of information

10. Cognitive Therapy during a Job Station and Return to Work
Reinforce use of strategies that have been developed during treatment
Modify strategies as needed
Make recommendations for accommodations
Planning and organizing specific activities of the the job site

11. Return to Work- Job at time of Injury
Start with ½ days
Gradually increase to full time over the next 8 weeks
Non distracting work environment
Continued psychotherapy support, and check- ins with physician
Eventual modification to allow working from home 1 day per week as needed