Psychological Support for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Cognitive Changes After Brain Injury

Many clients report that cognitive changes are one of the most distressing aspects of TBI, particularly when they affect work, study, or independence.

Common cognitive changes can include:

• Memory difficulties
• Slower processing speed
• Reduced concentration
• Difficulty multitasking
• Word-finding problems
• Mental fatigue

Psychological support can help individuals develop coping strategies and structure, and, where appropriate, formal assessment can help clarify cognitive strengths and challenges.

Logic Lounge offers psychological assessments that may support treatment planning, workplace adjustments, or rehabilitation goals, depending on the individual’s needs.

Anger and Irritability After TBI

After a brain injury, some people feel “more reactive” than they used to. Anger may show up quickly, or small frustrations can feel unbearable. This can be confusing and distressing for the person and those around them.

Support may focus on:

• Understanding emotional triggers
• Recognising early warning signs
• Learning regulation strategies
• Repairing relationship ruptures after conflict

Where relevant, therapy may incorporate approaches aligned with anger management in a way that is respectful and brain-injury informed.

Relationships, Identity, and Confidence

TBI can impact roles and identity. People may grieve changes to their:

• independence
• work capacity
• energy levels
• social confidence
• relationships and intimacy

These shifts can affect self-worth, particularly when someone feels they are “not themselves anymore”.

Support may include work on rebuilding identity, strengthening confidence, and restoring a sense of control, often linked with self-esteem and self-worth.

Relationship strain is also common after injury. Couples and families may benefit from family counselling to improve communication and reduce misunderstandings.

Coping Skills for Daily Life After TBI

Practical strategies are essential for brain injury recovery. Psychological support often includes skill-building for everyday functioning, such as:

• pacing and energy management
• managing sensory overload
• routines and memory supports
• coping with setbacks without self-blame
• strategies for anxiety and frustration
• building confidence in social settings

This can align closely with building coping skills and using nervous system regulation strategies such as relaxation training.

Support for Families and Carers

Partners, parents, and carers often experience their own emotional load. They may feel:

• overwhelmed by responsibility
• unsure how to respond to mood changes
• grief about changes in the person they love
• exhausted by ongoing advocacy and appointments

Therapy can provide carers with support, boundaries, and emotional processing. Supporting the family system often supports recovery.

When Psychiatry Support May Be Helpful

Some individuals experience more complex mental health impacts after TBI, such as persistent mood symptoms, severe anxiety, or difficulties with emotional regulation. In those cases, collaborative care can be useful.

Logic Lounge can support clients who may benefit from psychiatric input through a Sydney psychiatrist as part of a coordinated care approach, where appropriate.

Support for traumatic brain injury is not about pushing you to “get back to normal”. It is about helping you adapt to changes, build practical strategies, and improve your quality of life.

At Logic Lounge Psychology, support may focus on:

• Emotional regulation and coping
• Grief and identity adjustment
• Confidence and self-worth
• Communication and relationship support
• Practical strategies for memory and fatigue
• Navigating recovery at a realistic pace

Recovery looks different for everyone. Therapy provides support that is personalised, respectful, and focused on what matters most to you.