Serving families who have served: providing family therapy and support in interdisciplinary polytrauma rehabilitation

Abstract

Severe polytraumatic injuries sustained in combat operations require intensive rehabilitation and often result in complex, long-term disabilities. Understandably, these significant injuries have a substantial emotional impact on families. In this article, the authors discuss the importance of a family-centered care philosophy, the interdisciplinary team approach, the therapeutic milieu, and two family-systems treatments (medical family therapy and ambiguous loss theory). A case example illustrates the key processes of psychological support and therapy when treating polytrauma patients and their families.