Insight into mild brain injury from and Adlerian perspective.Brain injury causes a multitude of changes that affect an individual's ability to perform vocationally and socially. Changes may occur in cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning. Although the functional impact for clients with moderate to severe brain injury is well documented in the literature (e.g., Lynch, 1986), many people with injury on the mild end of the continuum may be misdiagnosed and/or the functional impact of the injury may be underestimated (Kay, 1986; Mateer, 1992; Sorenson & Kraus, 1991). Due to the frequency of misdiagnosis mis·di·ag·no·sis n. pl. mis·di·ag·no·ses An incorrect diagnosis. mis·di ag·nose and lack of needed support, many individuals sustaining brain injury remain either unemployed or underemployed un·der·em·ployed adj. 1. Employed only part-time when one needs and desires full-time employment. 2. Inadequately employed, especially employed at a low-paying job that requires less skill or training than one possesses. . Few can return to, and maintain, their former vocational performance Kosciulek, 1994; Mateer, 1992). Rehabilitation rehabilitation: see physical therapy. of an individual with any degree of brain injury should include cognitive treatment strategies, psychosocial psychosocial /psy·cho·so·cial/ (si?ko-so´shul) pertaining to or involving both psychic and social aspects. psy·cho·so·cial adj. Involving aspects of both social and psychological behavior. counseling, and vocational rehabilitation Noun 1. vocational rehabilitation - providing training in a specific trade with the aim of gaining employment rehabilitation - the restoration of someone to a useful place in society (Mateer, 1992). This paper will address how these functions interrelate in·ter·re·late tr. & intr.v. in·ter·re·lat·ed, in·ter·re·lat·ing, in·ter·re·lates To place in or come into mutual relationship. in in the well being of the client. The principal aspects of brain injury and how they contribute to the psychological well-being psychological well-being Research A nebulous legislative term intended to ensure that certain categories of lab animals, especially primates, don't 'go nuts' as a result of experimental design or conditions of the client will be described. The primary goal of this paper is to examine the psychological sequelae sequelae Clinical medicine The consequences of a particular condition or therapeutic intervention of a mild brain injury and the impact of the sequelae on the client's ability to function productively. Demonstration of how an Adlerian counseling approach can be used to lessen the functional limitations will be presented. Prevalence estimates of injury in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. are between 1,125,000 and 1,600,000 per year for mild brain injuries caused by trauma alone (Koch, Merz & Lynch, 1995; Ruff, Wylie, & Tennant, 1993). This figure does not include estimates for those caused by other events. The figure is sufficient, however, to recognize that this is a condition that affects a substantial population. The peak incidence rate for these injuries occurs in the late teens and early twenties (Sorenson & Kraus, 1991). During this period many individuals are in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of training or launching their careers; therefore, essential job-related skills are not yet well established. Brain injury is a significant concern to rehabilitation in both direct loss of income and the indirect loss of time from the work force (Rimel, Giordani, Barth, Boll & Jane, 1981). Another issue that may affect rehabilitation is a premature attempt to return to work (Mateer, 1992). Individuals pursuing this strategy are likely to experience deterioration of their employment status. Individuals may encounter discouragement, employment termination and a damaged reputation that may prejudice future opportunities (Fowler, 1981). Many of these individuals are likely to present themselves to rehabilitation counseling rehabilitation counseling, n counseling started in the United States in 1920 to assist individuals disabled by industrial accidents; originally included physical, psychologic, and occupational training; expanded over the next 70 years and laid the for assistance in reestablishing work options. Definition Brain injury is described as an induced physiological disruption. The disruption can be caused by a variety of events. Examples of such events could include the head being struck, stroke, fall or drugs (Kay, 1986). The medical model criterion for diagnosing mild brain injury is that the patient may exhibit any of the following behaviors: alteration of consciousness, loss of memory for events immediately before or after an accident, confusion or disorientation disorientation /dis·or·i·en·ta·tion/ (-or?e-en-ta´shun) the loss of proper bearings, or a state of mental confusion as to time, place, or identity. , or perceptual deficits that may or may not be transient (Acimovic, Lemmon & Keatley, 1993; Kay, 1986; Mateer, 1992). Any one of these conditions may indicate that brain functioning has been disrupted. The severity of the injury should not exceed certain criteria to be considered "mild." The loss of consciousness should not exceed 30 minutes. At the end of a 30 minute observation period, the patient should be able to respond to the Glasgow Coma Scale Glas·gow Coma Scale n. A scale for measuring level of consciousness, especially after a head injury, in which scoring is determined by three factors: amount of eye opening, verbal responsiveness, and motor responsiveness. well enough to obtain a score of 13-15. In addition, any existing anterograde anterograde /an·tero·grade/ (an´ter-o-grad?) extending or moving anteriorly. an·ter·o·grade adj. Moving forward. anterograde extending or moving forward. or retrograde amnesia retrograde amnesia n. A condition in which events that occurred before the onset of amnesia cannot be recalled. retrograde amnesia should not be greater than 24 hours (Mateer, 1992; Sorenson & Kraus, 1991). While this model is a starting point Noun 1. starting point - earliest limiting point terminus a quo commencement, get-go, offset, outset, showtime, starting time, beginning, start, kickoff, first - the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the in the assessment of this problem, it does not address the impact that the injury has on normal functioning for the survivors (Kay, 1986). Due to the tendency of service providers to base their decisions for selection on the medical model (e.g., length of loss of consciousness), many individuals are denied services. In addition, traditional conceptualizations of clients with mild brain injury clients are those of exaggerated symptoms for secondary gain (i.e., avoid work or responsibility, get attention, or monetary benefit from litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. ) (Mateer, 1992; Vamey, 1990). The medical definition is giving way to a new understanding of the needs of the client, on of which is appropriate assessment addressing the functional limitations of the client in real world situations (Mateer, 1992; Ruff, et al., 1988). Although some clients report some difficulty in daily living skills, the functional limitations are more evident when the client attempts returning to work (Kay, 1986; Mateer, 1992; Sorenson & Kraus, 1993). The appearance of limitations upon return to work may be due to more objective standards of behavior and performance in the workplace. It may be also due to the client's unconscious manipulation of his or her social and home environment, which is not feasible at work. Dizziness, headaches, poor memory, fatigue, loss of behavioral control and loss of concentration are commonly recognized as acute post-trauma experiences of individuals with mild brain injury (Kay, 1986; Mateer, 1992). It is becoming evident to more researchers and professionals that symptoms do not always resolve in individuals soon after the precipitating pre·cip·i·tate v. pre·cip·i·tat·ed, pre·cip·i·tat·ing, pre·cip·i·tates v.tr. 1. To throw from or as if from a great height; hurl downward: event (Acimovic, et al., 1993; Kay, 1986; Mateer, 1992). Present estimates are that about 25% of persons sustaining mild brain injury will continue to experience symptoms which interfere with their normal functioning indefinitely (Koch, et al., 1995; Kosciulek, 1994; Mateer, 1992). The cognitive sequelae which impact on an individual's normal functioning are the result of the organic damage Kay, 1986). Psychological and behavior maladaptions can also occur when diagnosis and treatment are unavailable. They may be the result of direct organic damage, or they may be the result of the pergon struggling to regain his or her preinjury manner of functioning (Kay, 1986; Mateer, 1992). In addition to the brain injury, depending on the mechanism of injury, the client may be experiencing post-traumatic reaction symptoms. Therefore, attention should be shifted from description of typical recovery to early identification and rehabilitation of affected individuals (Mateer, 1992; Sorenson & Kraus, 1991). Psychosocial Impact of Brain Injury Rehabilitation interventions should begin soon after diagnosis (Mateer, 1992). Returning to work too early in the recovery phase may cause difficulties. A sensitive counselor can allay al·lay tr.v. al·layed, al·lay·ing, al·lays 1. To reduce the intensity of; relieve: allay back pains. See Synonyms at relieve. 2. some of the secondary psychological symptoms found in individuals who have experienced a traumatic injury but whose injury is considered "mild." Anxiety, frustration and depression, which can follow an injury, could significantly affect work adjustment upon return to work. Identification of lifestyle, recognition of residual strengths Residual strength is the load or force (usually mechanical) that a damaged object or material can still carry without failing. , and planning for remediation and compensation of recognized limitations are important for a client to claim responsibility and control of his or her life. Without a diagnosis, but where the possibility of brain injury exists, counselors may find it expedient to conduct screening procedures as early as possible. Subjective complaints about changes in functioning previously overlooked by medical assessments should be explored for appropriate vocational planning (Koch. et al., 1995). Adaptation to any traumatic injury is a dynamic process of stages which can typically include shock, anxiety, denial, depression, internalized anger, externalized hostility, acknowledgment and adjustment (Livneh & Sherwood, 1991). The client with a brain injury could present him or herself to the rehabilitation counseling setting in any one of the stages. While organic depression is recognized as a possible effect of the brain injury, often the psychological problems seen with brain injury are secondary to the injury (Mateer, 1992). The emotional impact of brain injury does not necessarily cause psychological problems. Instead, it causes anxiety, which is not a pathological response to a traumatic event A traumatic event is an event that is or may be a cause of trauma. The term may refer to one of the followiong:
To more fully understand anxiety in a client with a brain injury, it is necessary to examine how individuals typically react to the losses. Loss of the cognitive ability to process and organize information affects an individual's vocational and social functioning social functioning, n the ability of the individual to interact in the normal or usual way in society; can be used as a measure of quality of care. . The same is true of the loss of the ability to pay attention to details, and of faulty error recognition. In addition, most clients will exhibit some degree of short term memory loss (Kay, 1986). Although many of these problems may become more evident when the client attempts to return to employment, these abilities are crucial in all categories of functioning (Kay, 1986). When these abilities are compromised, the person's confidence to perform effectively in cognitive functions cognitive function Neurology Any mental process that involves symbolic operations–eg, perception, memory, creation of imagery, and thinking; CFs encompasses awareness and capacity for judgment can be shaken (Kay, 1986; Mateer, 1992). The emotional reaction to these limitations can be extremely anxious; thus, the need for early intervention ear·ly intervention n. Abbr. EI A process of assessment and therapy provided to children, especially those younger than age 6, to facilitate normal cognitive and emotional development and to prevent developmental disability or delay. . Anxiety can further compromise the client's ability to utilize cognitive abilities. If the client's anxiety is allowed to progress to depression, rehabilitation counseling will be more extended than it would have been had education and information been available initially (Mateer, 1992). Education and information for the client, the client's family, and co-workers are the most universally recommended treatments for preventing exacerbation ex·ac·er·ba·tion n. An increase in the severity of a disease or in any of its signs or symptoms. ex·ac of the client's cognitive status. Mateer (I 992) recommends handling both denial and social withdrawal with cognitive-behavioral procedures. Due to the great variability in severity of organic damage, even in those clients who have been diagnosed with a mild brain injury, some clients can rely on retained social skills and other nonintellectual characteristics to do repetitive tasks (Parker. 1987). The client may also have highly developed verbal skills that mask recognition of brain injury symptoms (Koch, et al., 1995). However, organizational changes and learning new information can present challenges (Parker, 1987). In addition, diminished insight, lowered ability to problem solve and perceive situations correctly may lead to unrealistic vocational expectations (Chandler, Czerlinsky, Moore, Rutman, & Shumacher, 1993). If the client is pressured by others who believe the client to be malingering Malingering Definition In the context of medicine, malingering is the act of intentionally feigning or exaggerating physical or psychological symptoms for personal gain. for secondary gain Ruff, et al., 1988), the unrealistic expectations and the anxiety are likely to be more exaggerated. Evidence points to a clear link between vocational status and self-esteem (Chandler, et al., 1993). Thus, the loss of these functions can significantly affect a person's self-esteem. Adlerian counseling has constructs that can be beneficial in helping clients with mild brain injury to reorient Re`o´ri`ent a. 1. Rising again. The life reorient out of dust. - Tennyson. Verb 1. themselves to a healthy lifestyle. Adlerian Theory and Perspectives Several major constructs of Adlerian theory have application to counseling persons with mild brain injury in a rehabilitation setting: the lifestyle and holistic nature of humans; the importance of love, work and friendship; and the responsibility of the individual for his or her own well being (Rule, 1984). The client's current and past functioning can be examined through establishing a relationship with the client, investigating the client's lifestyle, interpreting the lifestyle, and helping the client toward reorientation Noun 1. reorientation - a fresh orientation; a changed set of attitudes and beliefs orientation - an integrated set of attitudes and beliefs 2. reorientation - the act of changing the direction in which something is oriented (Rule, 1984). Relationship Establishment of a trusting relationship is crucial with clients from the brain-injured population. Respect, trust, and genuineness are key elements of the relationship (Rule, 1984). These factors may have been missing in other relationships with service providers. By the time clients with mild brain injury enter rehabilitation counseling, they may have seen doctors who falsely assured them of a good prognosis, lawyers that may accuse them of malingering, and/or psychologists who diagnose them with pathological disorders. These types of experiences can cause further confusion, discouragement and frustration at not having the "real" problem properly addressed. Thus, the client with brain injury often enters rehabilitation with expectations of having their subjective complaints about changes in functioning ignored. By treating clients with respect and listening to their troubles with genuine interest, the rehabilitation counselor can establish a trusting relationship. Goals established between the client and counselor for counseling are important to both the rehabilitation process and to the brain-injured client. A treatment contract (Scott, 1984) with the goals clearly defined allows for assessment at the end of the process to detect whether the desired outcome has been reached. In addition, it provides structure and focus for the client experiencing memory problems. This aspect will become important when the client questions why certain techniques are used. A cooperatively constructed treatment contract also helps to further rapport between the client and counselor. The goals defined in the treatment contract will be different for each individual depending on his or her needs. Possible goals include: return to work, independent living, personal health care, financial independence and/or healthy maintenance of interpersonal relationships This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details. This article has been tagged since September 2007. (Lynch & Lynch, 1991). In addition, both the client's role and the counselor's role should be clearly defined in the treatment contract. Realizing that the responsibility for feelings, thoughts and behaviors rests with the client is important for both the counselor and the client (Rule, 1984; Livneh & Sherwood, 1991). The counselor's role is to guide the client through therapy toward emotional and functional adaptation to the post-injury self (Lynch & Lynch, 1991). Lifestyle investigation and interpretation Adlerian theory recognizes the client as a whole system; not as component parts. The interrelatedness in·ter·re·late tr. & intr.v. in·ter·re·lat·ed, in·ter·re·lat·ing, in·ter·re·lates To place in or come into mutual relationship. in of the holistic human and goals is an especially important concept to embrace when considering the invasive nature of brain injury on the functioning of an individual. Loss of cognitive skills cognitive skill Psychology Any of a number of acquired skills that reflect an individual's ability to think; CSs include verbal and spatial abilities, and have a significant hereditary component is not isolated from loss of emotional control or inability to organize and moderate thinking and behavior. The all-encompassing nature of the disability is an important concept for the therapist to understand. A brain injury affects not only vocational ability but every other aspect of the client's life. The disability is not a separate part of the person, but becomes integrated into his or her personality. Adlerian theory assumes that one of the goals individuals innately pursue is that of finding a place of significance for themselves in their particular social environment (Rule, 1984). This holistic assumption of humans would indicate that these goals are not idle aspirations, but that all behavior is directed toward this goal. However, individuals are not always aware that their behavior is directed toward any specific goal. They may not even be able to articulate why they behave in a specific way at a designated time. This aspect of human nature becomes especially evident in people struggling to recover from brain injury. Individuals continue to strive toward the same lifestyle goals, both recognized and unrecognized, as they did before they were injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. . The frustration stems from their inability to accomplish those goals or fathom fath·om n. Abbr. fth. or fm. A unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.83 meters), used principally in the measurement and specification of marine depths. tr.v. changing the goals even when they recognize that their functioning is changed. Rule (1984) contends that only unhealthy persons do not recognize and accept their limitations. Lack of recognition and acceptance of limitations may also be true of clients who were undiagnosed or given a psychiatric diagnosis because they continued to insist "something is wrong" despite negative medical findings. Often clients with brain injury recognize their own limitations but have difficulty articulating how it affects them. The basic premise of integrated functioning, which is a cornerstone of Adlerian thinking, can facilitate therapists understanding of what the client cannot explain. The construct of lifestyle is particularly important to understand when working with clients who have sustained mild brain injury. Lifestyle is formed in early childhood and influences the developing person's perceptions of self and environment. By adulthood, a coherently organized system of perceiving events and situations is a directing force of a person (Scott, 1984). This system includes both the tendency toward stability and the creative ability to change. Scott (1984) describes this dichotomy as the need to preserve the coherence of the system through homeostasis homeostasis Any self-regulating process by which a biological or mechanical system maintains stability while adjusting to changing conditions. Systems in dynamic equilibrium reach a balance in which internal change continuously compensates for external change in a feedback . The creativity to change is explained as adaptations to disruption of the homeostasis. Individuals who experience brain injury do not lose the innate nature of being human. They experience a major disruption in the coherence of their lifestyle. Natural reactions to such a disruption involve attempts at preservation of the lifestyle with the individual's personal goals intact. Such attempts can be observed in individuals who resist recognizing they have sustained brain injury. The client is likely to resist changing concepts of the lifestyle that make them who they are. A client with brain injury experiences an incongruence in·con·gru·ent adj. 1. Not congruent. 2. Incongruous. in·con gru·ence n. between those perceptions of self and his or her current ability to interact with their environment. Perceptions of self become disorganized dis·or·gan·ize tr.v. dis·or·gan·ized, dis·or·gan·iz·ing, dis·or·gan·iz·es To destroy the organization, systematic arrangement, or unity of. and confused, especially if an individual has been mistakenly told they have no brain injury and are attempting to act on that premise. Individuals do not relinquish the essence of the lifestyle, even in the presence of evidence that they have lost the ability to pursue the same lifestyle. Scott (1984) recognized that while resistance impedes communication, it should be viewed as the innate nature of the individual, not as a conflict between the goals of the counselor and those of the client. This idea of resistance makes sense when the coherence of the lifestyle is accepted. Before the injury, the person's lifestyle was reinforced by his or her perceptions of interactions in any given situation. Those perceptions of self influenced their goals and behavior with others (Rule, 1984). Understanding the lifestyle will allow the counselor to comprehend the personal meaning brain injury has for the individual. For some individuals, certain limitations will be more devastating dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. to their sense of being than it will be to other individuals. For an individual whose pre-injury life was complex, with friends, family and demanding work, the loss of the ability to organize information and remember details may be more devastating than for the individual whose life is simple with undemanding work, few friends and no family. In all adults with brain injury, the nature of their injuries limits their creativity to adapt. Limited creative adaptation is evident in those who persevere per·se·vere intr.v. per·se·vered, per·se·ver·ing, per·se·veres To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement. to solve problems in ways that are no longer effective. Embedded Inserted into. See embedded system. in the construct of lifestyle are concepts of striving toward a sense of significance, feeling complete and being fulfilled (Livneh & Sherwood, 1991). These aspects may be threatened in an individual with mild brain-injury. An exploration of the family environment and expectations is important. In the case of brain injury, the current family situation may be more relevant than the psychological birth order and development of the individual. The counselor can learn these details by attending to statements about change in the family functioning and how the client perceives family members-reactions to the changes. Depending on whether the client is a parent or an adult child, brain injury will have different impacts on family functioning. Compensation Some maladaptive Maladaptive Unsuitable or counterproductive; for example, maladaptive behavior is behavior that is inappropriate to a given situation. Mentioned in: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy responses seen in adults with mild brain injury are more easily understood if viewed from the Adlerian concept of compensation. Compensation is the mechanism used to overcome perceived and/or real deficits. The client with brain injury may struggle to compensate for deficits by hiding or denying problems or withdrawing socially. This reaction may be a maladaptive striving for superiority. The client may respond in this mariner Mariner Any of a series of unmanned U.S. space probes sent near Venus, Mars, and Mercury. Mariners 2 (1962) and 5 (1967) passed Venus within 22,000 mi (35,000 km) and 2,500 mi (4,000 km), respectively, and made measurements of temperature and atmospheric density. due to a loss of self-esteem or a lack of energy left to attend to concerns of others Livneh & Sherwood, 1991). The client is likely to be investing a lot of energy into preserving the integrity of self. which may seem self-centered to others (Kay, 1986). Whatever the underlying cause, this type of reaction has potential to further strain social relationships. The client may have been aware of change in others' attitudes or may have become unaware of their own preoccupation. Guidance toward social interest and recognition of other people's needs could be accomplished by explaining what effect this type of behavior has on the attitudes of others. In addition, the client, the client's family and/or co-workers may need to be educated about the client's need for graded cognitive stimulation. Novack, et al. (1988) propose a structured plan be created for helping the client regain the ability to handle multiple and complex pieces of information. Although most constructs of Adlerian therapy are appropriate in interpreting lifestyle, the concept of "all behavior is purposeful" should be used with caution. The client's maladaptive striving for superiority could be interpreted as serving a hidden purpose. This interpretation could cause more harm than good in clients lacking the ability to direct their behavior in productive ways. A more helpful interpretation would be directed toward the need for psychological support with identification and remediation of acquired deficits. Rehabilitation Counseling Intervention Insight into the direction of the client's lifestyle and goals can be gained by using earliest memories. These memories can serve as anchors that reveal the development of the lifestyle pattern, goals and expectations (Livneh & Sherwood, 1991). Wheeler (1987) proposed using those memories to identify and assess strengths of the individual. This valuable information can provide a basis for encouragement from the counselor to expand and use these strengths. The counselor may first have to convince the brain-injured client that although the client processes information differently, growth and change are still possible. Wheeler I 987) also suggested that the very strengths the client has may also be a source of difficulty. This is particularly applicable to the client with a brain injury. The very strengths that once contributed to the individual's sense of self-esteem may be compromised or less accessible. Creative options to correct, circumvent cir·cum·vent tr.v. cir·cum·vent·ed, cir·cum·vent·ing, cir·cum·vents 1. To surround (an enemy, for example); enclose or entrap. 2. To go around; bypass: circumvented the city. , or compensate for these hidden" strengths should be investigated by the counselor and client. It is possible that the client cannot organize options into a list alone but may recognize appropriate strategies when presented. Strategies Strategies proposed to overcome adjustment problems include humor humor, according to ancient theory, any of four bodily fluids that determined man's health and temperament. Hippocrates postulated that an imbalance among the humors (blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile) resulted in pain and disease, and that good health was , imagery, role playing role playing, n in behavioral medicine, learning exercise in which individuals assume characters different from their own. The individual may also be asked to simulate a particularly difficult situation and apply the characteristics that are common to his and psychodrama psychodrama /psy·cho·dra·ma/ (-drah´mah) a form of group psychotherapy in which patients dramatize emotional problems and life situations in order to achieve insight and to alter faulty behavior patterns. (Scott, 1984). The purpose of these strategies, when used in interpretation of the lifestyle, is to integrate insight with application of information (Scott, 1984). Directing attention to this purpose focuses on a common problem for persons with brain injury. Several advantages in using humor have been identified. It has the potential to relieve some tension and anxiety felt by the client (Rule, 1977). There is a greater chance the client will remember the incident to transfer the gained insight into functioning in the real world. It may also serve to increase the client's internal locus of control locus of control n. A theoretical construct designed to assess a person's perceived control over his or her own behavior. The classification internal locus indicates that the person feels in control of events; external locus (Rule, 1979). In addition, Ellis (1976) recommended using humor to address inflexible patterns of thinking, acting and feeling. The counselor's insight into the client's lifestyle and stage of recovery will aid in deciding when and how to use humor as a therapeutic technique. Imagery can be a useful tool in rebuilding a client's confidence in trusting his or her creative ability (Scott, 1984). The ,what if' technique could be useful in facilitating the client who has trouble in conjuring conjuring Art of entertaining by giving the illusion of performing impossible feats. The conjurer is an actor who combines psychology, manual dexterity, and mechanical aids to effect the desired illusion. fanciful images and relaxation and meditation could aid the process. The purpose is to explore the client's feelings and sensations and to expand awareness and insight about options and choices. These techniques can be used to confirm that the client has an intuitive sense of what is best. The advantage of these techniques is the emotional distance created with fantasy between the client and the problem which allows the client to view the situation more objectively. Role playing and psychodrama can provide structure in which to use imagery (Scott, 1984). These techniques have the advantage of having the client experience alternative ways to deal with conflict, new vocational choices, or ways to optimize residual strengths while in a safe environment. Reorientation Once clients have insight into primary goals and recognize their own limitations to fulfilling those goals in the manner in which they were directed pre-injury, it may be practical to reexamine re·ex·am·ine also re-ex·am·ine tr.v. re·ex·am·ined, re·ex·am·in·ing, re·ex·am·ines 1. To examine again or anew; review. 2. Law To question (a witness) again after cross-examination. the initial treatment contract. The client may decide that the goals are no longer appropriate and may need help in defining what may now be workable. Lifestyle interpretation is used as a tool to show the primary goals of the client. Each step of Adlerian counseling is aimed at reorienting the client to acceptance and adjustment; the key ingredients of wellness. Several strategies suggested by Britzman & Henkin (1992) that could be useful in helping clients with brain injury accomplish reorientation are: 1) encouragement of self-awareness, 2) an individualized in·di·vid·u·al·ize tr.v. in·di·vid·u·al·ized, in·di·vid·u·al·iz·ing, in·di·vid·u·al·iz·es 1. To give individuality to. 2. To consider or treat individually; particularize. 3. wellness plan, 3) reframing reframing (rē·frāˑ·ming), n the revisiting and reconstruction of a patient's view of an experience to imbue it with a different usually more positive meaning in the of wellness to increase its appeal, 4) focus on existing wellness strengths, 5) encouragement for effort rather than outcome, 6) facilitating of self-responsibility and internal motivation, and 7) promotion of individual ownership of wellness choices. With these underlying concepts and the lifestyle goals of the client defined, the client and the counselor can begin to explore the vocational opportunities open to the client. Examples may include job restructuring or job modification of pre-injury employment or investigation of other work opportunities in the community. Additional alternatives may involve retraining re·train tr. & intr.v. re·trained, re·train·ing, re·trains To train or undergo training again. re·train the client on previous social skills, enhancing memory with calendars and journals, or using work protocols with clearly defined structure to guide the client through specified tasks. The rehabilitation counselor has a vast array of strategies to choose from in accomplishing both specific behavior changes Behavior change refers to any transformation or modification of human behavior. Such changes can occur intentionally, through behavior modification, without intention, or change rapidly in situations of mental illness. and broader cognitive perceptions. Rule (1984) suggested using strategies from a number of different theoretical perspectives. These include RET ret v. ret·ted, ret·ting, rets v.tr. To moisten or soak (flax, for example) in order to soften and separate the fibers by partial rotting. v.intr. To become so moistened or soaked. , behavioral therapy behavioral therapy n. See behavior therapy. , Gestalt Gestalt (gəshtält`) [Ger.,=form], school of psychology that interprets phenomena as organized wholes rather than as aggregates of distinct parts, maintaining that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. counseling, and reality therapy. Considering the complexity of the challenges faced by the counselor and client in reorientation, using a variety of perspectives makes logical sense. Summary A rehabilitation counselor who can guide the client with brain injury toward responsibility and ownership of behavior and feeling has great potential for helping the client regain self-esteem and to find appropriate employment. Using the Adlerian constructs of lifestyle investigation and interpretation, the coherent nature of human personality, and reorientation in conjunction with rehabilitation concepts of changing maladaptive behavior, establishing goals, and assessing outcomes can provide the needed understanding and structure. References Acimovic, M. L., Lemmon, J., & Keatley, M. A. (1993). The importance of qualitative indicators in the assessment of mild brain injury. The Journal of Cognitive Rehabilitation cognitive rehabilitation, n therapy that connects memory failure with a person's relationship, anxiety, and self-concept issues. Has been used for traumatic brain injury. , 11(6), 8-14. Britzman, M. J. & Henkin, A. L. (1992). Wellness and personality priorities: The utilization of Adlerian encouragement strategies. Individual Psychology, 48(2), 194-202. Chandler, S. K., Czerlinsky, T., Moore, M., Rutman, L. S., & Schumacher, A. (1993). 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