Scott A. Sabella

Research and Clinical Interest:
• Rehabilitation Counselor Supervision
• Program management within rehabilitation agencies
• Support needs for people with brain injuries
• The removal of barriers to community participation for individuals with disabilities
• Counseling strategies and techniques

Scott Sabella, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology (CSEP) within UB’s Graduate School of Education. His primary research agenda focuses on program management, counselor supervision, and leadership within public rehabilitation agencies. Additionally, he has recently authored articles related to the removal of barriers to community participation of people with disabilities and the support needs of people with brain injuries. His clinical counseling interests include group work, motivational interviewing, and existential counseling strategies and techniques to enhance quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

• BS, St. Lawrence University, Psychology
• PhD, University of Northern Colorado, Rehabilitation
• MA, University of Northern Colorado, Psychology (neuropsychology track)

• Landon, T. J., Sabella, S., McKnight-Lizotte, M., & Bernacchio, C. (2021). Rehabilitation counselor supervisors’ perceptions on counselor dispositions for rural service delivery. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 64(3), 145-157.
• Sabella, S. A., Schultz, J. C., & Landon, T. J. (2020). Validation of a brief form of the Supervisory Working Alliance Inventory. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 63(2), 115-124. DOI:10.1777/0034355219846652
• Sabella, S.A., Landon, T., Lizzotte, M., Bernacchio, C. (2020). How do supervisors assess and develop professional dispositions among counselors in public rehabilitation agencies: A qualitative inquiry. The Clinical Supervisor. Advance online publication DOI:10.1080/07325223.2020.1729919
• Sabella, S. A., Bernacchio, C., Boland, E., & Schultz, J. (2019). The conceptualization and assessment of professional dispositions in rehabilitation counselor education. Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 33(3), 198-211. doi: 10.1891/2168-6653.33.3.198
• Bezyak, J. L., Sabella, S. A., Hammel, J., McDonald, K., Jones, R., & Barton, D. (2019). Community participation and public transportation barriers experienced by people with disabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1590469

• Chang, Y. P., Barrick, C., Sabella, S., Lewis, L., & Nisbit, P. (2020, October). Development of inter-professional training for opioid workforce in high need and high demand areas [Virtual Poster]. 2020 International Nurses Society on Additions. (Virtual Conference).;
• Sabella, S., Collins, S., & Clemons, A. (2020, November 4). Internal controls, quality management, and process improvement [Virtual Workshop]. 13th Annual Summit Conference on Performance Management in VR. (Virtual Conference).;
• Sabella, S., Landon, T., McKnight-Lizotte, M., Bernacchio, C., & Pollack, S. (2020, April). How do supervisors assess and develop professional dispositions among counselors in VR agencies? [Poster]. 2020 NCRE National Counsel on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE), San Diego, CA. (Conference canceled).;
• Anderson, C., Pi, S., Sabella, S., Leahy, M., Homa, D., & Tansey, T. (2020, April). Building capacity for quality program evaluation in public VR: An RSA initiative [Conference session]. 2020 NCRE National Counsel on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE), San Diego, CA. (Conference canceled due to COVID).;
• Sabella, S., Landon, T., McKnight-Lizotte, M., Bernacchio, C., & Pollack, S. (2020, April). How do supervisors assess and develop professional dispositions among counselors in VR agencies? [Poster]. 2020 NCRE National Counsel on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE), San Diego, CA. (conference cancelled due to COVID).;

• Regional Center of Autism Spectrum Disorders; State; New York State Education Department, Award #1165986-1-85345; Continuing; (04/15/2021-04/14/2022)
• Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program (Award #H129B190047); Federal; U.S. Department of Education; Continuing; (10/01/2019-09/30/2024)
• Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program (Award #H129B190047); Federal; U.S. Department of Education; Awarded; (10/01/2019-05/31/2020)
• Opioid Workforce Expansion Program; Federal; Health Resources and Services Administration; Continuing; (07/01/2019-06/30/2023)

• Continued service as a "Summit Navigator" which provides leadership and guidance for the Summit Group on Performance Management in Vocational Rehabilitation, a national community of practice consisting of over 450 members.
  06/01/2019-05/31/2020
• Content expert for the federally funded National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials. This 5-year project will continue until 2020.
  05/26/2017-05/21/2018
• Research consultant for the Rocky Mountain Americans with Disabilities Act Education Center. This is a National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research project funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  05/26/2017-01/01/2018
• I am serving as an advisory board member for the Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center. This is a federal Department of Education grant led by the Interwork Institute at San Diego State University which provides technical assistance and training to state vocational rehabilitation agencies in order to meet the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
  02/29/2016-06/07/2016
• From 2014-current, I have served as a research consultant for the Rocky Mountain Americans with Disabilities Act Education Center. This is a National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research project funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  12/01/2014-06/07/2016

• Editorial board; Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal
  04/01/2021-05/24/2021