The value of normalization: Group therapy for individuals with brain injury

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.

• Brain injury
• group therapy
• rehabilitation
• psychology
• psychotherapy

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.