The Australian Psychological Society (APS) submitted a response to the Draft Australian Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Psychosocial Difficulties for Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Guideline aims to empower psychologists and other health professionals with the tools to deliver effective, evidence-based care, improving outcomes for individuals with TBI and their families.
The APS commended the Guideline’s rigorous integration of psychological science, professional expertise, and lived experience, which aligns with the APS commitment to advancing evidence-based psychological care.
In our submission, we highlighted the need for additional practice points to support psychologists and practitioners in addressing:
• Psychological adjustment to life changes, such as employment and identity redefinition.
• The co-occurrence of chronic pain, which compounds psychosocial challenges.
• Stigma associated with TBI, which creates barriers to care and reintegration.
We also recommended incorporating targeted strategies to ensure the Guideline implementation plan successfully enhances professional education and resources, ensures culturally safe and equitable care for First Peoples, and develops tailored approaches to support practitioners working in rural and remote communities.
View submission