Psychosocial Screening Tools

For Use With Patients

Patient Perspectives

About Caregivers and Caregiving

Han & Haley 1999 caregiving.pdf — a review of 20 articles on stroke caregivers’ well-being and mental health
LeDorze & Signori 2010.pdf — a qualitative study examining stroke spouses/caregivers’ needs
Visser-Meily et al 2006.pdf— literature review on the role of stroke caregivers and the importance of a family-centered approach to rehabilitation
ASHA Leader(July, 2015) — “Counseling the Caregiver” article includes information on changes in the caregiver’s perspective and needs with time post-onset, and related counseling suggestions.
Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire (American Medical Association) — 2-page questionnaire to help caregivers identify when they need support.
Family Caregiver Handbook — a pdf, 60-page document with information about caregiving activities (in-home care and safety), resources, planning, as well as the emotional challenges of caregiving, published by Wash State DSHS. Especially note the “Caregiver Bill of Rights” on page 2, which can serve as a 1-page handout for caregivers and fuel support group discussion (see also National Aphasia Association — Caregiver Bill of Rights .

Caregiver Perspectives

Defective Yeti: Loving the Unknown— blog post by a parent with a school-age child with ASD
The Dopamine Diaries — written by a daughter about caring for her mother with dementia

Comm Toolbox support groups.pdf— the purpose and basics of support group facilitation
MAP facilitating support groups.pdf— how to start and maintain a support group, and ideas for support group discussion activities
Vann 2013.pdf — one-page first person account of participating in a support group
Miller 1998 excerpts.pdf— from Effective Support Groups: How to Plan, Design, Facilitate, and Enjoy Them, by James E. Miller
UPenn peer support.pdf — more on why and how to start a support group
Beck & Keyton 2014 facilitation.pdf — qualitative study on a member-leader facilitated support group (breast cancer support group)

Counseling Skills and Perspectives

Street et al 2009 clin-comm outcomes.pdf — describes ways in which clinician-patient communication can influence outcomes.
Riley 2002 counseling skills.pdf— “Counseling: an approach for Speech-Language Pathologists” reviews basic counseling skills useful in various clinical environments.
Brene Brown on Empathy— A short (2:54) video that captures an important part of our work with clients and families.

Counseling Approaches

The following articles focus on counseling approaches for specific populations.

Cunningham 1998 counseling severe aphasia.pdf
Khan-Bourne & Brown 2003.pdf— “Cognitive behavior therapy for the treatment of depression in individuals with brain injury”
Orenstein Basilakos & Shisler Marshal 2012.pdf — “Effects of mindfulness meditation on three individuals with aphasia”
Spillers 2007 existential.pdf — “An existential framework for understanding the counseling needs of clients”

* consult with qualified colleagues when working with clients/patients in crisis

Contact Lifeline— For crisis resources in Delaware and beyond, go to website or call 1-800-262-9800
Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families– to report Child Abuse and Neglect or Mental Health/Substance Use Emergencies
Suicidality information — this document includes information on what to do if you suspect suicide ideation or intention. For a psychiatric or substance abuse crisis in Delaware, contact Mobile Crisis Services(MCIS):
- Northern Delaware Hotline, call: 800-652-2929
- Southern Delaware Hotline, call: 800-345-6785
ULifeline— for information or help regarding suicide, mental health, substance abuse, sexual abuse, or other crises specifically in college students
National Hotlines:
- Suicide: 1-800-273-TALK
- Suicide: 1-800-SUICIDE
- Rape, Abuse, Incest: 1-800-656-HOPE

Difficult Conversations

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Difficult Conversations— this is a pretty good (quick, accessible) book on lots of different types of difficult conversations.
Five Things You Should Never Say to People with Cancer — though not everyone agrees on these, they are worth considering for anyone going through a tough health diagnosis/event.
How Not to Say the Wrong Thing — an op-ed piece from the LA Times with an easy, logical strategy when communicating with someone experiencing grief or trauma.
How To Break Bad News: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, by Buckman & Kason (1992)
Kelley 2010 difficult conversations.pdf
Wikihow: Breaking Bad News