AN EMPOWERMENT MODEL OF MEMORY TRAINING

The authors outline an empowerment model of memory rehabilitation. Unl ike conventional cognitive rehabilitation methods, clients' plan and c ontrol the treatment process from the earliest stages of therapy. The client identifies functional goals and the therapy is geared to achiev e those goals. The empowerment model also emphasizes domain-specific c ompensatory training. Memory strategies and prosthetic devices are cho sen so as to maximize transfer of training in the workplace, training programme, or in the client's activities of daily living. Group therap y involves clients teaching their newly learned skills to other client s. The authors present research findings to document the efficacy of t he empowerment model, describe its limitations, and discuss how the mo del can be implemented effectively.