Webinar - Treating social cognitive deficits after brain injury

This 60-minute webinar was presented by Dr. Anneli Cassel on 19th November 2021. Synopsis of session: Many clinicians working with clients after brain injury will be familiar with the interpersonal challenges and relationship difficulties individuals often face after their injury. Social cognitive skills are known to impact social functioning yet are rarely formally assessed and there are few evidence-based treatment approaches to drawn upon that specifically target social cognition. This session will first explore our understandings of social cognition and present a biopsychosocial model of factors known to interact with core social cognitive skills. Treatment approaches will then be described, with a focus on the components of the SIFT IT social cognition group treatment program. Findings from the SIFT IT pilot RCT will be discussed with a focus on the qualitative feedback from participants and their clinical implications. Practical advice will be provided about how to integrate social cognitive treatment targets within clinical practice. Learning objectives: By the end of the session, attendees will: 1) Consider biopsychosocial factors influencing social cognition, and consequently, social behaviour after brain injury 2) Describe the components of the SIFT IT group treatment program and understand the clinical implications from the pilot RCT trial findings 3) Learn practical ways to incorporate social cognitive skill targets into clinical practice