The Psychological and Social Impact of Illness and Disability

Irmo Marini, PhD, CRC, CLCP, is Professor in the School of Rehabilitation at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas. He obtained his PhD in Rehabilitation from Auburn University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He is a 2009 recipient of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education’s distinguished career award in rehabilitation education, and 2010 recipient of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association’s James F. Garrett distinguished career award in rehabilitation research. In 2012, Dr. Marini was bestowed with an honorary doctorate of science (honoris causa) from his alma mater Lakehead University, and was the recipient of the 2013 National Council on Rehabilitation Education’s educator of the year award. In 2015, he was the recipient of the Patricia McCollom distinguished career award in life care planning research. He is the co-author and coeditor of seven books, over 40 book chapters, and more than 80 refereed journal publications. He is the former Chair of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, and former President of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association.

Mark A. Stebnicki, PhD, LPC, DCMHS, CRC, CCM, CCMC is a Professor and Coordinator of the Military and Trauma Counseling Certificate Program he developed in the Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Services at East Carolina University. He holds a doctoral (Ph.D.) and master’s (M.S.) degree in rehabilitation counseling. Dr. Stebnicki is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in North Carolina and holds three national certifications; Diplomate in Clinical Mental Health Specialist (DCMHS) in Trauma Counseling through the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA); Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC); Certified Case Manager (CCM); and a Certified Clinical Military Counselor (CCMC). In 2016, Dr. Stebnicki developed a military counseling training program for the state of North Carolina. The credential, The Certified Clinical Military Counselor (CCMC), trains professional counselors to work with the medical, psychosocial, vocational, and mental health needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and family members.

Dr. Stebnicki is also certified by the Washington, D.C.-based crisis response team National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) and North Carolina’s American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health crisis team. Dr. Stebnicki is an active teacher, researcher, and practitioner with over 30 years’ experience working with the mental health and psychosocial rehabilitation needs of persons that have traumatic stress, chronic illnesses and disabilities.

Dr. Stebnicki has written seven books (4 edited books with Dr. Irmo Marini) most recently The Psychological and Social Impact of Illness and Disability (7th ed.) (2017, Springer Publishing) and The Professional Counselors’ Desk Reference (2016, Springer Publishing); and four single-author books, most recently Disaster Mental Health Counseling: Responding to Trauma in a Multicultural Context (2017, Springer Publishing); Empathy Fatigue: Healing the Mind, Body, and Spirit of Professional Counselors (2008, Springer Publishing). He has over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and has presented at over 100 regional, state, and national conferences, seminars, and workshops, on topics ranging from youth violence, traumatic stress, empathy fatigue, and the psychosocial aspects of adults with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

Dr. Stebnicki has served on multiple professional counseling and accreditation boards. He served on the crisis response team for the Westside Middle School shootings in Jonesboro, AR (March 24, 1998) and has done many stress debriefings with private companies, schools, and government employees after incidents of workplace violence, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. His youth violence program, the Identification, Early Intervention, Prevention, and Preparation (IEPP) Program, was awarded national recognition by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Foundation for its vision and excellence in the area of youth violence prevention. Other accolades include consulting with former President Bill Clinton’s staff on addressing the students of Columbine High School after their critical incident (April 20, 1999).