Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health (PH) conditions not only affect the patient, but can also impact family members and relationships.

The NICoE’s Family Program is designed to:

• Conduct assessments to determine the spouse’s perspective on their loved one’s situation and identify any environmental or family stressors
• Provide personalized education and skills training
• Connect families with resources to help them cope with and understand their loved one’s situation

We also encourage family members to get involved in the patient’s care plan by attending patient appointments and using the following programs and services:

• Family Therapy – Short‐term, solution‐focused therapies, done in individual sessions, marital sessions, group sessions, and/or family sessions
• Family Education – A series of classes designed to increase knowledge and awareness of patients’ injuries and their impact on the family unit
• Spouse and Caregiver Support Groups – Informal support groups that provide a nurturing and safe environment for spouses and caregivers to share common experiences and challenges, and receive support and encouragement

For more resources and tips about how families can cope with TBI, view the educational materials from the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), including the following:

• Taking Care of Yourself While Caring for Others – This booklet provides coping tips and self-care advice to those caring for someone with a TBI
• Traumatic Brain Injury: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans Fact Sheet – This resource is a source of information and support for caregivers of service members and veterans with TBI
• Talking with Children about TBI – This booklet has communication tips for parents who are struggling to help their children understand the changes in a loved one with a TBI