A Relational Approach to Rehabilitation: Thinking about Relationships after Brain Injury

Citation

(2011), "A Relational Approach to Rehabilitation: Thinking about Relationships after Brain Injury", Social Care and Neurodisability, Vol. 2 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/scn.2011.56102caa.003

A Relational Approach to Rehabilitation: Thinking about Relationships after Brain Injury

Article Type: Resource reviews From: Social Care and Neurodisability, Volume 2, Issue 3

Ceri Bowen, Giles Yeates & Síobhán PalmerKarnac Books2010£26.99(Paperback)ISBN 13: 9781855757486

This book advises professionals working with people with acquired brain injury that an informed and skilled focus on social functioning and emotions is vital. It provides much detail on both the theoretical and research base for all elements of the relational approach recommended. The complex interactions of the many aspects of each affected by brain injury persons are discussed, with emphasis on their social and emotional contexts and experiences.

Practical guidance is also provided, with cases illustrating discussion of specific issues. For example, there are four detailed case descriptions which fill two chapters alone.

The authors who are by trade clinical and neuropsychologists, note that there is “[…] something unique about neurological injuries that jeopardise couple relationships, connection and intimacy.” Two chapters consider the nature and implications of such injuries in detail. The lack of research into these topics is acknowledged and a therapeutic approach discussed and also covers how what research has been done into the needs of family, colleagues and in the local community is helpfully summarised. The authors show a great commitment to this work moving forward and included some of their own unpublished research.

The final chapter concludes that:

[…] above all, it is the concerns and practices of the service team, an emergent property of each profession’s input and the wider professional discourses and conceptual lenses in which the team is situated, which will potently develop relational rehabilitation as a common practice.

Whilst my own background knowledge and experience provide a limited professional basis for reviewing this book, as a reader with acquired brain injury, I found that it made sense throughout, and provided an approach which myself and others could hope for. The book is therefore recommended to anyone working with people with acquired brain injury – as it may make a difference.

Reviewed by Chris SalterRegional Representative (London), Encephalitis Society