Life After Brain Injury

"I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the neuropsychological rehabilitation of people with acquired brain damage. Clinicians will certainly gain some insight regarding the inner workings of such a complex endeavour. Brain injury survivors and their families, on the other hand, will also benefit from this book, by finding some emotional resonance between their own experience and the stories narrated here. In addition, Life After Brain Injury could also become a valuable psycho-educational tool, helping survivors to acquire some awareness of what a rehabilitation process is, and what it can—and cannot—accomplish." - Christian Salas Riquelme, Neuro-Disability & Psychotherapy

"This unique and fascinating book portrays rehabilitation at its best: as a partnership between the therapist and the participant. Each chapter describes the process of rehabilitation assessment and treatment from the perspectives of both participant and therapist. Therapeutic alliance has received increasing attention in rehabilitation as a critical element for successful outcomes. Life After Brain Injury embodies and illustrates the mutual respect, empathy and goal orientation that characterises an effective therapeutic alliance. Reading this book should give both new and seasoned therapists a clear sense of what therapeutic engagement really means, and individuals with brain injury renewed hope that life can continue to improve after brain injury." -James F. Malec, Indiana University, USA

"As the incidence of concussions, post-sports injuries, and brain injuries during military deployments has exponentially increased in recent years, many psychologists and other mental health professionals have questions about the usefulness and efficacy of rehabilitation. This book successfully demonstrates some answers to both of those questions. In addition, it will also serve as a beacon of hope for family members and those interested in better understanding the neurorehabilitation process and the successes that can be achieved even years after an injury." -Kathleen Sitley Brown, PsycCRITIQUES

"This book provides a rare opportunity to hear the voices of individuals with brain injury as they describe the lows and highs of their personal journeys from injury through rehabilitation. The reader learns about a variety of individualised therapeutic approaches to the problems experienced by people with brain injuries. It highlights the importance of a collaborative approach to rehabilitation." - Jennie Ponsford, Monash University, Australia

"Life After Brain Injury: Survivors’ Stories takes a unique approach by depicting people's own account of adjustment to their brain injury, in partnership with their therapist. Such stories powerfully convey the everyday implications of brain injury and offer readers new insights about the brain, about experience-guided rehabilitation and the work of neuropsychologists. Much can be learned from the courage, tenacity and ingenuity of the survivors and the rehabilitation process provided by their therapists. Each story will provide clinicians with ideas and inspiration in their own practice." -Tamara Ownsworth, Griffith University, Australia

"Seventeen cogent and collaboratively written case studies provide convincing evidence that holistic approaches to the neuropsychological rehabilitation of individuals following brain injuries can produce optimal outcomes. This book should be on the assigned bibliography of students and novices; as well as on the "must-read list" of experienced teachers, researchers and clinicians in our field." -Yehuda Ben-Yishay