Applying Solution-Focused Brief Therapy in Cognitive Rehabilitation

Neurocognitive rehabilitation refers to the procedure involved in helping patients recover or regain some of the lost functions of the brain after an internal and external injury. Specific psychotherapeutic procedures are also combined with these rehabilitation strategies for the maximum benefit of the patients. Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a psychotherapy that allows clients to focus their attention on the solution rather than exploring the origin of the problem and focusing on their strengths and resources. It is a brief therapy based on a positive psychology approach. The traditional cognitive rehabilitation techniques focus on deficit remediation, while SFBT offers a strength-based approach that focuses on the client’s resources, exceptions to the problems, and goal-oriented behavior. The integration of these approaches will bring a shift in the paradigm of neurorehabilitation by providing a balance between cognitive challenges and preserved strengths. In the realm of cognitive rehabilitation, SFBT can empower individuals with neurological impairments by fostering resilience, adapting coping strategies, and self-efficacy. This chapter explores the innovative application of SFBT principles within cognitive rehabilitation settings, which can be viewed from the lens of positive neurorehabilitation. It will also propose a framework for integrating the CAPE model (Compensatory, Activity, Preventive & Enhancement) with salient principles of SFBT, emphasizing the potential role of positive neuropsychology in cognitive rehabilitation.