An injury to the brain can affect virtually any aspect of functioning and, at the deepest level, can alter sense of self or the essential qualities that define who we are. In recent years, there has been a growing body of research investigating changes to self in the context of brain injury. Developments in the cognitive and social neurosciences, psychotherapy and neurorehabilitation have together provided a rich perspective on self and identity reformation after brain injury. This book draws upon these theoretical perspectives and research findings to provide a comprehensive account of the impact of brain injury on self-identity. The second half of this book provides an in-depth review of clinical strategies for assessing changes in self-identity after brain injury, and of rehabilitation approaches for supporting individuals to maintain or re-establish a positive post-injury identity. The book emphasizes a shift in clinical orientation, from a traditional focus on alleviating impairments, to a focus on working collaboratively with people to support them to re-engage in valued activities and find meaning in their lives after brain injury. Self-Identity after Brain Injury is the first book dedicated to self-identity issues after brain injury which integrates theory and research, and also assessment and intervention strategies. It will be a key resource to support clinicians and researchers working in brain injury rehabilitation, and will be of great interest to researchers and students in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and allied health disciplines.

Reconstructing Identity After Brain Injury tells the remarkable story of Stijn Geerinck and his journey from road traffic accident to recovery. After he was hit by a drunk driver whilst cycling, Stijn suffered a traumatic brain injury and had to undergo drastic maxillofacial and neurosurgery. In his own words, this book narrates Stijn’s difficult recovery, focusing on the physical, medical, mental, social and financial changes he had to endure. It lays the groundwork for coping with permanent impairment resulting from TBI, including lifelong lesions and the irreversible physical changes. The testimonial narrative is complemented with philosophical insights, providing key philosopher’s reflections on the experience of brain injury. Stijn also explores the essential human characteristics of resilience, fighting spirit, emotionality, despair, vulnerability, hope, depression, optimism, anxiety, rationality, focus, anger and love, as he looks at the impact of his brain injury and resulting disfigurement on his masculine identity. It is essential reading for any professional involved in neuropsychological rehabilitation, and all those touched by this condition.

A unique analysis of the pediatric and adult manifestations of the most common neuropsychological conditions treated in clinical practice.

Therapeutic Songwriting provides a comprehensive examination of contemporary methods and models of songwriting as used for therapeutic purposes. It describes the environmental, sociocultural, individual, and group factors shaping practice, and how songwriting is understood and practiced within different psychological and wellbeing orientations.

The Invisible Brain Injury recounts, in her own words, the experience of Aurora Lassaletta, a clinical psychologist who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a traffic accident. Presenting her unique dual perspective as both a patient and a clinician, Aurora highlights the less visible cognitive, emotional and behavioural symptoms common to acquired brain injury (ABI). This moving account showcases Aurora’s growing awareness of her impairments, their manifestation in daily life, how they are perceived, or not, by others and the tools that helped her survive. Each chapter combines Aurora’s perspective with the scientific view of a professional neuropsychologist or physiatrist who provide commentaries on her various symptoms. This book is valuable reading for professionals involved in neurorehabilitation and clinical neuropsychology and for clinical psychology students. It is a must read for ABI survivors, those around them and clinicians, who are all an essential part of the rehabilitation, adjustment and acceptance process involved with ABI.

Being Sociological considers the lived experience of sociology, stressing the active nature of social life and highlighting the role that students can play in enacting social change. Fully reworked in this third edition, with five brand new chapter topics and a diverse roster of new contributors, this textbook presents a fresh take on society today. The book encourages readers to examine both enduring challenges and their potential solutions. Dynamic learning features help students unpack key ideas from sociological theory and apply them to today's problems to cultivate their own sociological imagination. An inspiring read, this textbook will empower students to engage with sociology outside the classroom and embed it in their everyday lives. With new contributors, fresh organisation and a vibrant student-centric focus, this third edition brings Being Sociological fully up to date and reaffirms its place as an invaluable introduction to sociology for students new to the field. New to this Edition: - All chapters completely rewritten to provide a fresh overview of sociology today - Coverage of five new chapter subjects : including social movements, urbanization, migration and sport and leisure, reflecting their centrality in modern life and in introductory sociology courses - A focus on the SHiP framework, moving away from social categories to consider instead society's structural composition, its historical patterns and power inequalities and their interplay in individual lives - A forward-looking, optimistic orientation, bolstered by new pedagogical features inviting students to consider pathways for change