A systems model for therapy with brain-injured adults and their families.

Family Work and Acquired Brain Damage

“…There is an encouraging number of recent reports in the field, exploring family therapy interventions with head-injured people and their relatives (Griffith, 1985;Groveman & Brown, 1985;Henry, Knippa and Golden, 1985;Perlesz, Furlong & McLachlan, 1989;Rosenthal, 1984;Rosenthal & Young, 1988;Wrate, Bishop & Hill, 1987;Zarski, Hall and OePompei, 1987;OePompei, 1991 andZimostrad, 1989). The emphasis of much of this literature is on the need for structural family therapy.…”

Toward a conceptualization of the family's adaptation to a member's head injury: A critique of developmental stage models.

“…Spanbock (1987) and Henry et al (1985) postulate that, immediately following the injury, the family enters a stage of "shock" in which members are faced with the imminent possibility of their loved one's death. Henry et al argue that the family's decision-making abilities and understanding of the trauma are typically impaired during this period of shock.…”

“…Lezak (1986) argues that family members often attribute the patient's childish and demanding behavior to less serious, short-term factors (e.g., fatigue, weakness, inactivity, excitement of being home, indulgences of hospital staff). Groveman and Brown (1985) and Henry et al (1985) believe that the family manifests a complex denial system during this stage, and that unrealistic expectations are rigidly resistant to change. Moreover Henry et al argue that, if family members are pushed to acknowledge the patient's deficits, the family's denial system may give way to severe socialemotional difficulties and members may be unable to fulfill their family roles.…”

“…According to Groveman and Brown (1985), the families often respond with anger, envy, or resentment upon realizing that the patient's deficits are permanent and require long-term management. Henry et al (1985) describe this period as characterized by anger, despair, withdrawal, depressions or rejection of the patient. Likewise, Spanbock (1987) maintains that family members experience anger depression, and confusion, as well as feelings of guilt concerning their own negative reactions to the patient.…”

Solution Focused Psychotherapy with Families Caring for an Alzheimer's Patient

“…Family therapy can generate support from family and friends which appears to mediate much of the stress of caregiving. The usefulness of family meetings has been described (Zarit and Zarit, 1982) and Lezak (1978) and Henry, Knippa, and Golden (1985) have stressed the need for family therapy as part of an intervention plan.…”