Cognitive rehabilitation for memory, attention and thinking
When your brain has changed, everyday life can feel harder. Our neuropsychologists help you understand what has changed and build practical strategies, so you can get back to the things that matter to you.
What is cognitive rehabilitation?
The short version:
- It is therapy with a neuropsychologist for changes in memory, attention, planning or thinking.
- We start with your goals: the everyday things you want to do again, or do more easily.
- We teach strategies and set up tools, such as phone reminders, planners and routines, that work around the difficulty.
- We involve family, carers or your workplace if you want us to.
- It is not brain training games. We work on real tasks in your real life.
Support for many kinds of brain change
Brain injury and stroke
After a concussion, head injury, stroke, brain surgery or brain tumour, when memory, attention or planning have changed.
Memory changes and dementia
Mild cognitive impairment or early dementia, with support for the person and their family to keep doing what matters.
Neurological conditions
Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, functional neurological disorder (FND), and brain fog after illness such as long COVID or cancer treatment.
ADHD and neurodivergent adults
Practical strategies for attention, organisation, time and memory that fit the way your brain works.
Practical help for everyday life
स्मृति
Ways to learn and hold on to new information, and tools such as phone reminders, calendars and checklists.
Attention and focus
Staying on task, managing distractions and doing one thing at a time without losing the thread.
Planning and organising
Breaking tasks into steps, starting and finishing, and solving problems when plans change.
Mental fatigue
Pacing your day so thinking tasks do not wipe you out, and planning rest before you need it.
Adjustment and mood
Making sense of the changes, rebuilding confidence, and support with worry or low mood along the way.
Work, study and home
A plan for returning to work or study, and for everyday jobs such as bills, cooking and appointments.
शोध क्या कहता है
We use approaches with good research behind them, and we tell you what they can and cannot do.
Brain injury and stroke
A review of 491 studies found the strongest support for attention training, memory strategies for mild memory problems, strategy training for planning and problem solving, and full rehabilitation programs.
Cicerone et al., 2019 (opens in a new tab)International guidelines
The INCOG 2.0 guidelines for brain injury (2023) recommend memory strategies and electronic reminders such as smartphones. Computer training should be guided by a therapist, not done alone.
Velikonja et al., 2023 (opens in a new tab)Early dementia
In a trial of 475 people with mild to moderate dementia, goal-focused cognitive rehabilitation helped people reach their everyday goals, and the gains lasted at 9 months. It did not change memory test scores.
Clare et al., 2019 (opens in a new tab)Brain training apps
People get better at the games they practise. There is little evidence that this carries over to everyday life. That is why we focus on real tasks and real goals.
Simons et al., 2016 (opens in a new tab)
The people around you matter
Strategies work best when they fit your home, your work and your relationships. With your permission, we can show family members or carers how to help, without taking over.
We also help families understand what has changed, and look after their own wellbeing along the way. If a family member needs their own support, our counselling team can help.
Four steps
संपर्क करें
Call us or send a message. Tell us what has changed and what you want help with. A family member, doctor, case manager or support coordinator can contact us too.
Understand and set goals
We look at your history and any recent neuropsychological assessment. If you have not had one, we may suggest one first, so therapy targets the right things. Then we set clear, everyday goals together.
Therapy sessions
Regular sessions in Preston or by telehealth. We teach strategies, set up tools, and you practise them in daily life between sessions.
Review and next steps
We check progress against your goals, adjust the plan, and write to your doctor or funder when needed.
Ways to pay
एनडीआईएस
Therapy supports can be funded in your plan when they help with everyday skills linked to your disability.
NDIS therapy supports (opens in a new tab)TAC
After a transport accident, the TAC pays for neuropsychology when it has accepted your claim, on referral from your doctor.
TAC psychology and neuropsychology (opens in a new tab)WorkSafe
For an accepted work injury claim, WorkSafe Victoria pays for neuropsychology sessions. Some sessions need approval from your agent first.
WorkSafe neuropsychology fees (opens in a new tab)Private and other schemes
You can pay privately. We also work with other insurers and schemes. Ask us what applies to you.
See our feesQuestions about neuropsychological support
What is the difference between an assessment and cognitive rehabilitation?
A neuropsychological assessment measures how your memory, attention, language and thinking are working, and explains why. Cognitive rehabilitation is the therapy that follows: we use what the assessment found to build strategies for everyday life.
Do I need an assessment first?
Not always. If you had a neuropsychological assessment recently, we can use it. If not, we may suggest one, because it shows which strategies are most likely to help. Not sure? Schedule a 15-minute phone call with our team.
Is this the same as brain training apps?
No. Research shows people get better at the games they practise, with little proof this helps in daily life. We work on the real tasks that matter to you, such as remembering appointments, following a recipe or managing a work day.
Can cognitive rehabilitation help with dementia?
It can help people with early dementia keep doing the things that matter to them. A large trial found it helped people reach their everyday goals. It does not stop or reverse dementia.
Can I do it by telehealth?
Yes. Many strategies work well by video, and we can include family members from home. In-person sessions are at our Preston clinic.
Can my family or carer come?
Yes, if you want them to. Family, carers, employers or teachers can help strategies stick in daily life. You decide who is involved.
How is it paid for?
You may be able to use NDIS plan funding, a TAC or WorkSafe claim, or another insurer or scheme. You can also pay privately. See our fees or ask us for a quote.