A brain injury, illness, or other medical condition can have a profound impact on many aspects of your life, including your cognitive health. Cognitive remediation therapy is an innovative, evidence-based therapeutic approach that can improve memory, speech, and overall cognition when there has been a deficit. People who use cognitive remediation therapy often experience significant improvements in critical areas of cognition and functioning that can lead to improved relationships, communication, and quality of life.
In some cases, people may hesitate to explore an intensive course of treatment because they cannot commit to attending in-person treatment sessions several times per week. However, the Hartman Center offers remote cognitive remediation therapy programs that can help people regain their functioning and improve their lives in the comfort of their own homes.
In this article, we will explore what cognitive remediation therapy is and how to access this type of care online. Contact the Hartman Center specialists to learn more about cognitive remediation therapy and schedule an intake appointment.
What is Cognitive Remediation Therapy?
Cognitive remediation therapy is an evidence-based form of treatment that addresses the underlying causes of symptoms like poor memory, brain fog, and more. This therapeutic approach uses specific, tailored exercises, functional medicine, exercise, and other holistic therapies that can help people feel and function better in their daily lives.
Cognitive remediation therapy is based on four pillars of brain training. These four aspects work together to improve cognitive deficits that may develop after an injury or illness.
Cognitive training
During cognitive remediation therapy, people work through a series of exercises that can help them rebuild and restore their cognitive functioning. Throughout treatment, these exercises help people create new pathways in their brain, allowing them to improve in critical aspects of their functioning. People who undergo cognitive training typically experience:
- Improved verbal reasoning and memory
- Better organization
- Increase self-awareness
- Improved ability to make new goals and work toward them
- Better verbal retrieval skills
Progress tracking
Cognitive remediation therapy is not a one-size-fits-all program. Each person will move through the exercises and therapies at their own rate and experience varying levels of improvement throughout the process. Progress tracking allows practitioners to monitor each participant’s advancements and adjust their treatment plan as the recovery progresses.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a critical aspect of cognitive remediation therapy. Participants learn how to center themselves in the present moment and tap into inner resources and strength. Regularly practicing mindfulness can reduce fatigue, anxiety, perceived pain, and depression.
Aerobic exercise
Cognitive remediation therapy includes regular aerobic exercise that can improve blood flow throughout the brain and body. Research shows that people who exercise regularly have lower levels of depression and anxiety and have better self-esteem. Exercise can help with mood regulation throughout the treatment process and may aid in cognitive recovery.
Each participant receives an individualized treatment plan to help them reach their unique goals. Personalized treatment plans help people stay engaged throughout the process and have better outcomes.
Who Benefits From Cognitive Remediation Therapy?
Cognitive remediation therapy benefits people with conditions that may affect their cognitive processes. This includes:
- People who have sustained a concussion
- Those with mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
- People living with cerebral palsy
- Those with anorexia
- People living with long COVID symptoms
- People who have had a stroke or heart attack
These and other conditions can impact a person’s cognitive functioning, making it hard to work, sustain healthy relationships, care for themselves or family members, and do other essential daily activities.
Can Cognitive Remediation Therapy Be Done Remotely or Online?
The Hartman Center leads the way in remote cognitive remediation therapy by offering treatments through the Brain Enhance and Recovery System (BEARS). This evidence-based cognitive remediation platform provides accessible treatment that leads to measurable outcomes in cognitive functioning for people with brain injuries.
Online cognitive remediation therapy is a highly personalized form of care. Each participant receives an individualized treatment plan and ongoing progress tracking as they move through the process. Participants typically spend between two and five hours a day, three to four days per week, engaging in treatment activities.
Cognitive remediation therapy programs typically require a two-month commitment with the opportunity to extend treatment longer as needed.
Participants in online cognitive remediation therapy programs experience noticeable improvements in their clarity of thought, communication, memory, and other areas that directly affect their quality of life.
What Types of Cognitive Remediation Therapies Are Available?
No two people have identical experiences or symptoms after sustaining a brain injury, concussion, or other conditions that affect cognition. People have different needs in cognitive remediation therapy, and each participant must receive tailored care that can be adjusted as needed.
The Hartman Center offers three distinct levels of life-changing cognitive mediation therapy programs.
Essential
This level of cognitive remediation therapy is designed to meet the needs of people with mild to moderate cognitive symptoms. This level of treatment is often ideal for people who have sustained a concussion or have a mild to moderate brain injury.
In the essential level of care, participants spend about two hours per day, three days per week, engaging in cognitive exercises, mindfulness, exercise, and other types of treatment.
Integrative
The integrative cognitive remediation program offers highly specialized care for various brain injuries and conditions. Participants engage in treatment activities two hours per day, three days per week.
Intensive
The Intensive cognitive remediation program is best suited for people with moderate to severe cognitive deficits. In this level of treatment, participants spend five hours per day engaging in treatment, four days per week.
Participating in cognitive remediation therapy is an investment in your health and overall well-being. Having the option to engage in online, remote cognitive remediation therapy allows more people access to this life-changing type of care.
Start Cognitive Remediation Therapy
If you or someone you love struggles with cognitive deficits, comprehensive treatment is just a phone call away. Cognitive remediation therapy can help you regain your functioning by improving your memory, information processing, comprehension, speech, and more.
Don’t wait for another day to go by without getting the help you need. Reach out to the Hartman Center specialists now to learn more about our online cognitive remediation therapy programs.