Community Integration Counseling (CIC) is an individually designed service intended to assist waiver participants who are experiencing significant problems managing the emotional responses inherent in adjusting to a significant physical or cognitive disability while living in the community. It is a counseling service provided to the waiver participant who is coping with altered abilities and skills, a revision of long term expectations, or changes in roles in relation to significant others. It is available to waiver participants and/or anyone involved in an ongoing significant relationship with the waiver participant. Waiver participant must be present and partake in family/group CIC sessions.
CIC services are primarily provided in a one-to-one session with the waiver participant and the CIC. CIC can also be provided to the waiver participant as well as a person involved in an ongoing relationship with the participant. It is acknowledged that supports (family supports and / or natural supports) are also as affected by change in their loved ones, so at times it may be appropriate for family or group counseling. Family or group counseling can be beneficial to focus on possible feelings of helplessness, a sense of loss of previous abilities, changes in social-life, adapting to role changes, and managing the challenges of cognitive difficulties.
CIC counselors are the people to talk to about anything and everything. They are the people that you can trust and open up to about life now, post TBI and / or disability. CIC counselors use a person-centered approach at all times to fit the needs of the individual waiver participant. CIC sessions also provide a time for waiver participants to work on thought processing skills and provide an outlet for the waiver participant. CIC sessions tend to have natural topics or themes such as grief and loss, readjustment, coping, providing new prospective, and dealing with change.