The evidence for relationship-centred practice in aphasia rehabilitation

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present an argument, supported by evidence, that relationship-centred care should be at the heart of aphasia rehabilitation. This conclusion stems from a number of studies that have explored the perspectives of people with aphasia and the interaction between them, their families and their treating speech-language pathologists. It is our contention that interactional research has highlighted the importance of the relationship and the tensions in the relationships between the client (the person with aphasia and their family) and their treating speech-language pathologist. Hence the state-of-the-art interactional research in aphasia rehabilitation has supported the findings from the broader health literature about the centrality of the relationship in client care. This article therefore describes the values-based clinical approach of relationship-centred aphasia rehabilitation.