1. The value of normalization: Group therapy for individuals with brain injury.
- Author
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von Mensenkampff, Barbara, Ward, Marcia, Kelly, Grace, Cadogan, Sam, Fawsit, Feargus, and Lowe, Niamh
- Subjects
BRAIN injuries ,ADAPTABILITY (Personality) ,PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation ,COMMUNICATION education ,GROUP psychotherapy ,LIFE change events ,NONPROFIT organizations ,PSYCHOLOGICAL tests ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,RESEARCH ,SUPPORT groups ,SELF-perception ,SOCIAL skills ,SOCIAL skills education ,STATISTICS ,QUALITATIVE research ,WELL-being ,THEMATIC analysis ,TREATMENT effectiveness ,PRE-tests & post-tests ,HEALTH literacy ,REHABILITATION for brain injury patients ,DATA analysis software ,FUNCTIONAL assessment ,PSYCHOEDUCATION ,PSYCHOLOGY - Abstract
Primary objective: This paper reports on a client-driven therapy group designed to help clients actively process changes and equip them with the psychological skills necessary to facilitate rehabilitation. Research design: This is an exploratory mixed methods research design based in clinical practice. Methods and procedures: This study documents results from five therapy groups, each group consisting of 2-hour sessions over an average of 6 weeks with a review session 6 weeks later. Forty-five clients (13 female, 32 male, average age = 40.54, SD = 11.87) with brain injury attended the group with Headway psychological services, Cork. Clients’ pre- and post-measures of functioning were gathered to assess the potential therapeutic benefits. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate the qualitative data. Main outcomes and results: Results illustrate a number of benefits to the participants, including normalizing effects, helping with acceptance, finding a new identity and positive mental health changes. Conclusions: Findings are encouraging and help to validate the effectiveness of group therapy as an intervention tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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