Dr. Matthew E. Sprong is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Life Care Planner who has provided services to people with chronic medical and psychological health conditions since 2011. Since earning his Ph.D. (2014) in Rehabilitation and Master’s degree (2011) in Rehabilitation Counseling and Administration from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, he has become internationally recognized as a scholar. He has published 60+ peer-reviewed journal articles on topics related to vocational rehabilitation service delivery and chronic pain for those with rare health conditions related to his profession in journals such as Pub Med, Rare Diseases, Frontiers in Psychology, Journal of Life Care Planning, Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, and Journal of Applied Rehabilitation.

Dr. Sprong is a Certified Life Care Planner, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Alcohol and other Drug Counselor, Certified Vocational Evaluator, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (Illinois), and Licensed Professional Counselor (Pennsylvania). He has worked at the Evaluation and Developmental Center and the Department of Veteran Affairs Veteran Health Administration. Within these two roles, he has provided vocational rehabilitation and placed hundreds of clients and Veterans with severe psychiatric and medical disabilities in employment. He has worked on the independent living needs of Veterans with severe psychiatric and medical impairments. He is also an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health at Governors State University. He has previously been involved in academia in the disciplines of Rehabilitation Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Public Administration, and Human Service Graduate programs at various universities.