ABSTRACT
The setting, course, and results of a counseling and a therapeutic group for relatives
of chronic aphasic patients are reviewed. Generally, providing and discussing information
on the illness, its consequences, and medical and social services are greatly appreciated
by group members. Counseling and group psychotherapy, as conducted by us, did not
result in measurable improvements of relatives' perceptions of personal, social, and
familial burdens. We assume, however, that group therapy does lead to more realistic
attitudes toward burdensome and severely straining situations and may help with coping.
Further research into psychotherapeutic strategies for relatives of disabled persons,
who themselves suffer from psychological and social handicaps, is needed.
KEY WORDS
relatives of aphasic persons - psychosocial burden - group therapy for relatives
