Self-Identity after Brain Injury - Comprehensive Clinical

In this review of Self-Identity after Brain Injury, the reviewer finds a rigorous, clinically focused handbook aimed at professionals and students working in neurorehabilitation and psychotherapy. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its integration of recent research from cognitive and social neuroscience with practical clinical strategies, making it a rare resource that connects theory about changes to self with concrete approaches to assessment and rehabilitation. Readers looking for an evidence-informed guide to identity change after brain injury will find this particularly useful.

Key Features

• Theoretical integration: Draws together cognitive and social neuroscience, psychotherapy and neurorehabilitation to present a unified account of how brain injury can alter sense of self.
• Research-informed: Reviews recent empirical work on identity change after brain injury so clinicians can base decisions on current findings rather than anecdote.
• Clinical strategies: Offers an in-depth review of assessment techniques for detecting changes in self-identity, helping clinicians to structure evaluations more systematically.
• Rehabilitation focus: Describes rehabilitation approaches for identity reformation, giving therapists practical options to integrate into care plans.
• Comprehensive scope: Balances theory and practice across the book, making it useful both as a textbook and a clinical reference.

Who It's For

Self-Identity after Brain Injury is best suited for clinical neuropsychologists, rehabilitation therapists, psychologists in brain injury services and postgraduate students who need a focused, research-based treatment of self and identity issues. The material is written with professional readers in mind and assumes familiarity with neurorehabilitation concepts.

Readers seeking a general-interest self-help manual or a brief primer on brain injury effects should look elsewhere, as the book emphasizes scholarly review and clinical assessment rather than lay-level introductions or quick tips for family caregivers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Thorough synthesis of neuroscience and psychotherapy that clarifies connections between brain change and sense of self.
• Practical assessment guidance that helps clinicians identify and measure changes in identity after injury.
• Evidence-based rehabilitation strategies that translate theory into clinical practice.

Cons

• Primarily aimed at professionals and students, so it may be dense for non-specialist readers.

Specifications

Title	Self-Identity after Brain Injury (Neuropsychological Rehabilitation: A Modular Handbook)
Author	Tamara Ownsworth
Subject	Changes to self and identity after brain injury
Approach	Theoretical review and clinical strategies
Audience	Clinicians, neuropsychologists, rehabilitation therapists, postgraduate students
Focus	Assessment of self-identity and rehabilitation interventions

Our Verdict

Self-Identity after Brain Injury is a valuable, research-driven resource for clinicians and students who need a well-rounded treatment of identity change following brain injury. Its combination of theory, empirical review and actionable assessment and rehabilitation guidance makes it good value as a reference text for professional practice and postgraduate study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include clinical assessment methods?
Yes; the second half provides an in-depth review of clinical strategies for assessing changes in self-identity after brain injury.

Is the book suitable for family caregivers?
It is primarily written for professionals and students, so caregivers may find parts useful but should note the clinical focus and academic tone.

Does the book draw on recent neuroscience research?
Yes; it integrates developments from cognitive and social neuroscience alongside psychotherapy and neurorehabilitation research.