When the Brain Changes: Understanding the Role of Psychotherapy After Brain Injury
When the Brain Changes: Understanding the Role of Psychotherapy after Brain Injury
Brain injury can change far more than memory, concentration or physical functioning. For the person experiencing it, a brain injury can affect their relationships, emotional regulation, behaviour, confidence, identity, independence and sense of who they are.And sometimes the psychological impact is the part that is least visible to other people.
I have worked with people affected by acquired brain injury (ABI), including traumatic brain injury (TBI), for many years — as a therapist, clinical lead and supervisor. One of the things that has stayed with me throughout that work is how important it is to understand the whole person, rather than seeing the brain injury as a collection of cognitive or physical symptoms.
A person may look physically well while experiencing profound changes internally. They may be struggling to manage emotions, process information, control impulses, understand changes in their behaviour, maintain relationships or come to terms with a life that feels...
