Evaluating the Efficacy of a Vocational Counseling Intervention to Improve Occupational Functioning and Employment Quality Among Veterans With Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

Purposeful Pathways is a manualized intervention to assist Veterans in aspiring and pursuing meaningful employment. Purposeful Pathways is an individual counseling protocol delivered weekly for up to 12 sessions (50 minutes per session) focused on career exploration, goal clarity, job-searching, and self-regulation.

Provides individuals with immediate access to a non-competitive, paid job contracted by the VA. Positions are typically housed within a VA hospital (e.g., housekeeping, grounds, kitchens, and construction), but are sometimes located in the community. TW is time-limited. TW is staffed by vocational rehabilitation specialists (VRS).