Wellbeing In Stroke and Aphasia (WISA): developing an innovative, accessible service to support the psychological wellbeing of people living with aphasia
This project is setting up an innovative service offering psychological therapy for people living with post-stroke aphasia. Aphasia can have a devastating impact on a person’s sense of identity, mood and wellbeing, yet people with aphasia can struggle to access psychological support due to their language difficulties. We are offering people living with aphasia up to 8 therapy sessions spaced over 6 months. Participants can choose whether to have their sessions one to one or in a small group, and whether to include a family member in the therapy. The therapy approach is Solution Focused Brief Therapy, which explores a person’s resources to live well with their aphasia, and supports them to make meaningful changes in their everyday life. The therapy is being delivered by Speech and Language Therapists who have received specialist training and who will receive regular support from a stroke-specialist clinical psychologist. The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of setting up the service, and to assess people’s experiences and satisfaction with the service. We are open to referrals to people who live in the UK, and who can access the service either online or in the university clinic.
Investigators: Sarah Northcott, Shirley Thomas, Caroline Baker, Katerina Hilari
