Emotional adjustment to stroke: a group therapeutic approach

Many people find it difficult to come to terms with having had a stroke and the resulting physical disability. This article reports on the setting up and running of psychological therapeutic groups to provide emotional and psychological support to patients about six months after their stroke. A flexible approach has allowed different groups to take different approaches to dealing with individuals' situations. Initial evaluations suggested that the groups help patients in the emotional processing of their experience of stroke and in promoting psychological adjustment to their changed circumstances. Group members have identified other gaps in service provision, such as a need for stroke education, and these gaps have been addressed.