[Neuropsychotherapy in brain injury rehabilitation].
BACKGROUND
Persons who have suffered brain damage can experience a wide range of cognitive, behavioural and emotional disorders. However, neuropsychological rehabilitation usually focuses, almost exclusively, on the cognitive deficits and pays very little attention to the emotional challenges associated with the psychological impact of the lesion. It is in this more personal side of brain damage where neuropsychotherapy can be of great aid to facilitate the process of acceptance and adaptation following a neurological lesion.


METHODS
In this article, we describe the theoretical and conceptual aspects of psychotherapy oriented towards persons with brain damage, the implications of cognitive deficits in the practice of neuropsychotherapy and the evidence regarding its effectiveness.


CONCLUSIONS
In the past, neuropsychotherapy was considered to be of little use in the rehabilitation of brain damage. Today, however, a growing number of professionals are acknowledging its importance in the management of the psychological/emotional suffering associated with brain damage. The aim of neuropsychological rehabilitation is not just to promote the recovery of the altered brain functions, but also to improve the individual's functional capacity, deal with his or her experiences of loss and help him or her to again find a meaning to life.
Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitacio Guttmann-UAB, Badalona, Espana.
Alberto
A
García-Molina
Teresa
T
Roig-Rovira
Antònia
A
Enseñat-Cantallops
Rocío
R
Sánchez-Carrión
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D009484:Neuropsychology; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D035501:Uncertainty