IMPORTANT UPDATE

Brain injuries can turn people’s lives upside down. Sometimes they lose connection with their past life, as individuals and as a couple. Previous research suggests this can have a bad effect on the relationship and on the wellbeing of the couple. The therapy is about reconnecting with the past.

You would take part in about 10 therapy sessions, each lasting about an hour long. The sessions will take place weekly at the start.

The sessions would take place at a venue that is convenient for you, such as your own home or a Headway or NHS centre near your home. We can also deliver the therapy online if you prefer.

The therapy involves a review of your life as individuals and as a couple. We would look at who you were before the injury, and what was important to you. We would then look at what the injury changed and what has stayed the same.

You would also work on changing your day-to-day life and ways of being together as a couple - to bring them closer to what these were like before the injury.

The therapy is for couples who are experiencing some difficulties in their relationship because of a brain injury, or who feel their relationship is not as good as it was before the injury.

One of you must have had a brain injury, such as a stroke, head injury or anoxia.

You must both want to take part.

You must have lived together for at least 2 years before the injury and still be living together now.

The brain injury must have happened at least 1 year ago, but no more than 10 years ago.

The study is based in the UK. We can provide the therapy in the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Derbyshire. If you live outside these areas, taking part online is possible.

The research is based in the United Kingdom.

The research is led by Dr Gerry Riley, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Birmingham. Link to University webpage: Click here

The research is funded by the National Institute of Health Research (reference number NIHR2035222). Link to NIHR entry: Click here

The research is sponsored by the University of Birmingham in the UK. Link to University of Birmingham: Click here

The research is hosted by Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust. Link to BCH Trust: Click here

Thinking about the impact of the brain injury on your life can be upsetting, but every effort will be taken to protect your wellbeing. The therapy is delivered by professional clinical psychologists. You will never be asked to do anything you feel uncomfortable with, and you can stop at any time. Any information you provide will be treated confidentially and stored securely.

The study has been reviewed by the National Institute of Health Research, the University of Birmingham, and an NHS Research Ethics Committee. The safety and wellbeing of participants is a primary concern of the review process.