The Importance of Culture in Holistic Neuropsychological Rehabilitation : Suggestions for improving cultural competence

Abstract

This chapter describes the major issues to be considered during neuropsychological rehabilitation after brain injury in a multicultural context and to make suggestions regarding how to create culture-centred services. It discusses few domains of neuropsychological rehabilitation that we think especially interact with cultural issues: the creation of a therapeutic milieu; assessment for rehabilitation; the case formulation, or the shared understanding of the needs and competencies of the clients; and the development of a coherent post-injury identity. Rehabilitation is defined as the development of therapeutic relationships that enable the person to actively increase participation in different environments by improving his/her abilities, skills and strategies. The holistic model of brain injury rehabilitation is one of the most established models in neuropsychology. Ben-Yishay and Diller presented the major conceptual framework of this model and further outlined the personal and professional requirements of the team that contribute to the success of holistic programmes.