Vision Impairment & Mental Health: A Collaborative Connection
Written by Janice Barrocas, LPC, CRC. Originally published by Navigating Blindness on August 18, 2025.
The transition to college or a career can be overwhelming for students with vision loss, and therapy can offer vital support during this pivotal time. There are so many questions. Unsure when to apply for vocational rehabilitation services? Surprised to find the school district wants loaned accessibility equipment back? Scrambling to secure more orientation and mobility (O&M) training on short notice to travel independently on an unfamiliar campus? Struggling with self-advocacy as parents who previously took the lead in communicating with teachers step back? Therapy helps young adults process these challenges, build confidence, and develop the emotional resilience and practical skills needed for a more successful and empowered transition.
Adjusting to vision loss counseling is essential for individuals and families coping with blindness, low vision, or progressive vision loss. Beyond the physical challenges, vision loss can lead to grief, anxiety, depression, and a loss of independence. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Janice Barrocas has dedicated her career to helping people navigate these challenges through her specialized counseling practice, Adjusting to Vision Loss.
Highlighting The Possibilities
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Janice offers emotional support for vision loss that goes beyond traditional therapy. With a master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Mercer University and years of experience at the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, she understands the unique barriers faced by individuals with blindness or low vision. In 2022, she founded AdjustingToVisionLoss.com as both a private counseling practice and a trusted educational resource for individuals and families.
At the heart of Janice’s work is a strength-based, solution-focused approach. She draws on a well-recognized seven-stage model of emotional adjustment to vision loss—beginning with trauma and denial, progressing through depression and reassessment, and ultimately reaching self-acceptance. Her methods include empowerment strategies, mindful self-compassion, and behavioral activation, all aimed at restoring confidence and independence for her clients.
An Information Hub For Blind & Low Vision
AdjustingToVisionLoss.com is also an information hub for the blind and low vision community. Its blog features articles on coping with vision loss, navigating frustration in healthcare systems, and reframing mistakes as opportunities for growth. Janice also highlights the importance of mental health services for people with blindness, emphasizing that emotional adjustment is as critical as learning mobility or adaptive skills.
Accessibility is a core value of Janice’s counseling practice. She ensures that all forms, sessions, and resources are fully accessible for clients with visual impairments. If intake paperwork isn’t accessible, she assists clients by reading forms aloud and guiding them through each step. Sessions are available both in-person and online, and the practice is in-network with most major insurance providers, including Medicare, UnitedHealthcare/Optum, Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Tricare, and Humana. She also offers a free 15-minute consultation for those considering therapy. Janice is licensed to practice in Georgia and Colorado.
In addition to her clinical work, Janice Barrocas is a founding member of the Task Force for Empowering Blind Independence, a nonprofit dedicated to catalyzing change and improving access to vision rehabilitation services for people living with blindness or low vision in Georgia.
Task Force For Empowering Blind Independence
For anyone facing the life-changing impact of vision loss, AdjustingToVisionLoss.com is a place to find help, hope, and expert guidance. Janice has found that with the right support, individuals can build confidence, independence, strengthen mental health, and embrace life with renewed purpose.
To learn more about vision loss counseling or to schedule a consultation, visit www.AdjustingToVisionLoss.com.
For a state by state list of mental health providers serving those with blindness or low vision, visit the Alma provider list. For a list of clinician led tele-support groups for parents, teens or young adults visit Lighthouse Guild of New York (people outside NY can register).
Published by navigatingblindness: Hi, I'm Kim Owens and my 22-year-old son lost his sight at the age of ten from a genetic retinal disease (ABCA4 Retinopathy) plus Autoimmune Retinopathy. I'm hoping to connect with other parents of blind and visually impaired children to share experiences and resources. Let's navigating blindness together.