Implementation of a cognitive rehabilitation program in an iprt setting

Skills training is a hallmark of the psychiatric rehabilitation model. However, many people with psychiatric illness cannot take advantage of learning opportunities in rehabilitation treatment settings because they have pervasive cognitive deficits in attention, memory and problem solving processes. These cognitive deficits must be addressed if learning is to be facilitated and clients are to achieve their stated goals. This paper describes a cognitive rehabilitation program that was implemented within an intensive psychiatric rehabilitation program. The reasons for choosing this particular model of cognitive remediation, the mechanisms of implementation, response of users and recipients, and reasons for continued use in other settings are described. Results of program evaluation monitoring surveys related to program utilization, psychosocial outcome and skill enhancement are presented.