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

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.

This is an exploratory mixed methods research design based in clinical practice.

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.

Results illustrate a number of benefits to the participants, including normalizing effects, helping with acceptance, finding a new identity and positive mental health changes.

Findings are encouraging and help to validate the effectiveness of group therapy as an intervention tool.