Having an acute neurological illness (ANI; e.g., stroke, brain injury) is often traumatic for patients and the family or friends who support them. The sudden onset of symptoms, admission to an intensive care unit, and prognostic uncertainty can cause depression, anxiety, or posttraumatic stress, amongst other symptoms, in both patients and their informal caregivers. This distress is shared between patients and caregivers, and, if untreated can become chronic and interfere with a patient's recovery and the caregivers' quality of life. Addressing early emotional distress with both the patient and caregiver can help to manage and prevent chronic emotional distress in both.
Recovering Together (RT) is a 6-session resiliency intervention that aims to prevent chronic emotional distress following an ANI. This intervention integrates approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy in ways that decrease cognitive load and increase accessibility for clients. It teaches mindfulness skills, coping skills, and interpersonal skills.
This patient and caregiver workbook provides session-by-session instructions, scripts, in-session activities, and home practice assignments, which can be used in conjunction with the accompanying clinician guide. Corresponding materials available online provide additional opportunity for practice.
