ABSTRACT
Acquired brain injury (ABI) significantly changes the lives of survivors and those close to them; themes of harrowing and painful loss, psychological distress and hopelessness typically dominate the stories told by those affected. Family members often find themselves living lives that are limited, isolated and far removed from what they had hoped for. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) offers a way of working with the family members of brain injury survivors, through a focus on helping people to respond in different ways to the painful thoughts and feelings that are inevitably present after a brain injury in the family, while supporting them to connect with what is important to them and engage in actions that are congruent with meaningful living.
