All Services are in person or optional Telehealth.

What is Cognitive Remediation Therapy?

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) is the assessment and treatment of cognitive skills, including memory, attention, and executive functioning (planning, sequencing, organizing, initiating, problem-solving, decision making, and self-awareness). CRT, an evidence-based behavioral treatment, is used for those experiencing cognitive deficiencies that interfere with day-to-day functioning.

Treatment for cognitive remediation is typically provided by a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or rehabilitation psychologist with specialized training in health psychology and rehabilitative techniques.

Uses for Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive remediation is used to treat people who have had a traumatic brain injury, such as a stroke, brain tumor, or concussion, and those who have mental impairment as a result of depression or schizophrenia. Psychiatric disabilities and illnesses can cause cognitive issues and problems with attention, memory and problem solving skills. In addition, CRT is used to help people with learning disabilities, ADHD, and early stage dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

This type of treatment does not reverse a cognitive disability, but it can help to teach the patient strategies to cope with their issues and improve memory skills, such as organizing daily tasks. For patients with milder deficits, CRT teaches ways to compensate for their memory or cognitive issues.

Cognition refers to the act of thinking and includes the ability to choose, process, remember and understand information. Therefore, CRT is also beneficial after a person has suffered a traumatic brain injury. For example, after a brain injury, cognitive symptoms can include problems with language, communication, speech, cognitive functioning, executive functioning, memory, planning, reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, judgment, attention, concentration, planning, organizing, assembling, controlling impulses, and being patient. Cognitive therapists can work with patients to help them regain these cognitive functions that often get damaged due to a traumatic brain injury.

An example of cognitive remediation therapy for a patient with a brain injury: A patient with a brain injury comes to a cognitive therapist because they are having trouble with planning and memory. They cannot efficiently manage their time and have difficulty planning for the future. They also have trouble remembering tasks like taking the trash or going to doctor’s appointments. A cognitive therapist may also recommend that a patient use a planner to write down each thing they have to do that day, week, and month so that they can refer to the planner regularly and better plan their time and remember their tasks. Over time, this should help the patient slowly regain their planning and memory skills.

Some successful methods used in cognitive treatment include creating routines, specifically, having the patient learn to set up and establish them. Building routines promote procedural learning. This way, people can learn to follow through in their cognitive functioning to the highest degree possible.

How CRT Helps

CRT gives patients confidence in themselves and in their cognitive skills. In some cases, CRT helps patients stay in school, get a job, or do better in their current roles. Improvement also shows in the patient’s ability to interact socially. This type of therapy can enrich each patient’s personal and work lives. Finally, CRT programs improve the patient’s chances of living independently, achieving goals of finishing school, working, socializing, and managing their home life.

Schedule Your Consultation

Are you ready to relieve the pain and suffering caused by your traumatic brain injury? Contact Dr. Diane and her team of experts today, and get your life back on track.


Schedule Now

Find Help and Hope in Dr. Diane’s Book!

Coping with Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

If you're suffering from a concussion, or any other form of mild traumatic brain injury, pick up Dr. Diane's book Coping with Concussion and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and start healing today!


Buy Now
CONTACT DR. DIANE®

Dr. Diane® Roberts Stoler, Ed.D.
7 Hodges Street
N. Andover, MA 01845
Phone: (800) 500-9971
Sign up for our newsletter.

FOLLOW US ON:
CATALYST FOR CHANGE

Dr. Diane is a catalyst for change

Image Credit Elaine Boucher

Within each person shines an inner light that illuminates our path and is the source of hope. Illness, trauma, suffering and grief can diminish the light and shroud hope. I am a catalyst for hope and change, offering a way to rekindle this inner light.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This