Former GVRA Client Achieves Academic Success; Now Changes Lives as a Post-Acute Vocational Specialist at Shepherd Center

Gabriella “Gabby” King absolutely loves her job as a Post-Acute Vocational Specialist at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. “I would not be where I am in my career if it were not for the support I received from GVRA,” Gabby stated. “My GVRA experience served as the impetus for me to pursue post-secondary studies in vocational rehabilitation (VR). After interacting with my GVRA counselor, I just knew this would be the right field for me. In fact, my GVRA counselor inspired me to pursue a career in vocational rehabilitation,” she said. 

As a student at Milton High School in Milton, Georgia, Gabby experienced moments of intense anxiety. She also suffered from occasional panic attacks, so she sought help through the school. Her guidance counselor referred her to GVRA. Following the intake process, Gabby’s case was assigned to a counselor in the Canton, Georgia office. Gabby is grateful for the assistance she and her family received from GVRA. “Everyone in the Canton office, from the front desk staff to my VR counselor, was extremely helpful in guiding me through the VR process. My counselor provided thorough vocational assessments, college planning and accommodations navigation, and some networking connections related to my career choice.”

Gabby’s mom, Pamela King, acknowledged the assistance GVRA provided to Gabby, who was a client from age 17 until 21. “GVRA was a wonderful navigational tool for our family. Gabby was experiencing severe anxiety that was debilitating at times, and it was negatively impacting her school attendance and her ability to concentrate in the classroom,” she said. “GVRA helped Gabby succeed in and out of the classroom,” King continued. “I can’t praise this agency enough.” 

Upon graduating from high school, Gabby moved to Alabama to attend Auburn University. “The financial assistance GVRA provided me was both unique and extremely beneficial,” Gabby explained. “GVRA paid for a portion of my undergraduate tuition each semester, along with reimbursements for school-related supplies such as textbooks, calculators, etc. This funding differed from traditional student loans in that there was no repayment required, nor any interest on these payments,” she explained. “I am extremely appreciative that GVRA financially supported a portion of my schooling; I’m glad I was able to eventually give back to the VR community through my career endeavors,” Gabby mused.  

VR internships and practicums pave the way for Gabby’s success

In 2019, GVRA helped Gabby secure a pediatric therapy internship with the Therapy & Learning Center of Georgia, which is in Roswell, Georgia. When she returned to Auburn University to finish her bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, she landed a school counseling internship with Opelika City Schools in the Auburn-Opelika metro area. During that internship, she had an opportunity to work with over 250 middle school students. She performed individual and group counseling, as well as risk assessments. 

After graduating from Auburn University in 2020, Gabby wanted to pursue her Master of Education in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. Because her undergraduate experience was so enriching, she decided to continue her studies at Auburn. 

While earning her post-graduate degree, Gabby served as a coach in the Academic Support Office. As part of her graduate studies curriculum, she also completed a practicum as a group counselor in the Auburn EAGLES Program, which is a non-degreed program for students with intellectual disabilities. The Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success (EAGLES) program is an Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) curriculum that helps students achieve their independent living and employment goals.

In addition to working with the EAGLES program, Gabby concurrently completed an internship in the Auburn Office of Accessibility. She was a coach in the SKILL Academic Support Program. The purpose of the SKILL program is to assist individuals who learn differently. The program staff help students with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Dyslexia, and Depression, and other diagnoses that affect a student’s ability to learn. 

Gabby’s Passion for Rehabilitation Counseling Studies Leads to a master’s degree from Auburn University---with a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)

Gabby’s fervent belief in herself and her abilities culminated in completion of a master’s degree (with a 4.0 GPA). But her perseverance didn’t end with her graduate degree. She accepted contract counseling positions, including one in Texas and one in Oklahoma, so she could gain valuable real-world experience in vocational rehabilitation. After completing her formal education at Auburn University, she also obtained her Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) certifications.  

In November 2025, Shepherd Center hired Gabby to serve as a Post-Acute Vocational Specialist. “I am a vocational rehabilitation specialist at Shepherd Center. I recently transitioned into this role and I am loving it!” she exclaimed. “This position affords me amazing opportunities to assist clients as they pursue meaningful work!” 

Gabby says working at Shepherd Center is Impactful and Rewarding 

Shepherd Center provides specialized rehabilitation services and support for individuals and families who are navigating brain and spinal cord injuries. “Working as a vocational rehabilitation counselor at Shepherd Center is a highly rewarding role, centered on empowering a diverse array of clients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)—ranging from severe cases to milder concussions---and including those individuals with military backgrounds (through specialized programs like the SHARE Military Initiative),” Gabby stated. 

“My role as a vocational rehabilitation specialist involves collaborating closely with clients from varied walks of life, tailoring support to their unique needs by developing job accommodations, crafting individualized return-to-work and return-to-school plans, facilitating career exploration, building essential job skills, and offering job search assistance and placement services,” Gabby continued. “Additionally, I help clients navigate external vocational and educational resources, such as state vocational rehabilitation agencies.”

Gabby mentioned a core focus of her job is pinpointing barriers to employment and schooling by conducting thorough assessments of clients' strengths, weaknesses, employment histories, and personal goals. She then partners with an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to create comprehensive, client-centered plans that address those obstacles, ultimately forging a pathway for long-term career success. 

“My goal is to provide the best possible support to clients as they navigate disability in the workforce,” Gabby commented. “I enjoy providing personalized vocational rehabilitation services to clients as they encounter the return-to-work process, post-injury. I feel incredibly honored to be part of the Shepherd Center team, and to provide VR services that enable clients to pursue career paths,” she shared. 

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• Success Story