Rebuilding Wellbeing After Acquired Brain Injury A Systems-Informed Positive Psychotherapy Approach to Neurorehabilitation

Author Bios

Note from the authors

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Prologue

General Introduction

Introduction: How to Use This Book (Practice and Implementation)

Chapter 1

Session One: Living with Difficult Emotions

Chapter 2

Session Two: Character Strengths

Chapter 3

Session Three: Building Positive Emotions

Chapter 4

Session Four: Connection Between Body and Mind

Chapter 5

Session Five: Social Connection

Chapter 6

Session Six: Nature Connection

Chapter 7

Session Seven: Meaning and Purpose

Chapter 8

Session Eight: Translating Values into Action

Chapter 9

Session Nine: Behaviour change

Discussion

Biography

Dr Zoe Fisher is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Neuropsychology at Swansea Bay University Health Board. She is currently seconded to the Strategy Department to lead implementation of the Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Strategy across the West Glamorgan Regional Partnership Board, and is an Associate Professor at Swansea University.

Dr Lowri Wilkie is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Psychology at Swansea University in Wales, UK. Her research focuses on wellbeing science, behaviour change, and systems approaches to health and sustainability, with particular interest in connection to self, others, and the natural world.

Kelly E. Davies is a PhD researcher in the School of Psychology at Swansea University in Wales, UK, and an executive coach. Her work explores how wellbeing theory can be translated into practical approaches that integrate individual, community, cultural, and population perspectives.

Professor Andrew H. Kemp is Professor of Psychology at Swansea University in Wales, UK, and an Honorary Clinical Researcher with the Regional Neuropsychology and Community Brain Injury Service at Morriston Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board. His research focuses on wellbeing science and interdisciplinary approaches to health, sustainability, and societal resilience.

'One of the perennial nettles in brain injury rehabilitation, is the failure to develop approaches that when applied together during rehabilitation, extend across the lifespan, creating a clinical pathway that covers the complete journey of persons with acquired brain injury, and not only the early post-acute component. The approach described in Rebuilding wellbeing after ABI is both conceptually ambitious and clinically grounded. It integrates contemporary psychological science with the realities of everyday clinical practice, offering a framework that is theoretically informed while remaining practical and accessible for clinicians working in busy healthcare systems. The authors draw on research from positive psychology, affective neuroscience, behaviour change science, and systems thinking, weaving these strands together into a coherent model that can be applied within neurorehabilitation settings. The model succeeds in extending the clinical pathway beyond the epoch of early post-acute rehabilitation, to everyday life, where people ultimately live their lives within their communities.'

Dr Rudi Coetzer, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist, Director of Research, Brainkind and Honorary Professor, Bangor University

'As someone living with a brain injury, I know the complexities involved in re-building one’s life when everything feels ‘different'. The course helped me to understand that recovery is not just about re-claiming what was lost, but it involves finding new ways to live well and reconnect with what matters. The concepts utilised enabled me to notice small positive moments, build confidence, and feel less alone on such an unfamiliar journey. Later I had the chance to return as a peer mentor, supporting others going through similar experiences, which was incredibly meaningful. This book offers hope and practical tools to discover the ‘new you’, as well as skilfully assisting each person to be grounded in life following a catastrophic incident. I would highly recommend it to anyone living with a brain injury and to the professionals who support us. It highlights that even after a life-changing or life-threatening experience, it is still possible to rebuild a sense of well-being, purpose, and connection.'

Helena Wilkinson, TBI survivor and published author

'The Positive Psychology Wellbeing Group is a core component of the community neurorehabilitation programme that we offer. Informed by both the evidence base and the lived experience of individuals affected by brain injury, the group content thoughtfully addresses key elements of psychological adjustment following brain injury in a manner that is inviting, reflective, and memorable. As a facilitator, it is a privilege to witness participants from a broad range of backgrounds and at varying stages in their recovery come together to form a supportive community. Through this connection, they navigate the process of (re)discovering their sense of self, enhancing their wellbeing, and cultivating meaningful, fulfilling lives despite the challenges presented by brain injury. The group offers something of value for everyone: from coping with difficult thoughts and emotions, to recognising the benefits of social connection, to building positive health behaviours.  This publication leaves us with a powerful reminder, while we cannot always control our circumstances, we have the ability to actively shape our wellbeing - through the choices and actions we make and the connections we nurture.'

Dr Alex Hamill, Clinical Psychologist in Neuropsychology, Swansea Bay University Health Board