Catriona Lee Catriona Lee - Community Speech and Language Therapy (Adults), Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust After impairment-based therapy which is typically 6 weeks or 6 sessions a patient may attend our Communication Plus Workshop (A living with Aphasia Model) which is weekly for 10 weeks we then often refer onto Say Aphasia for ongoing support. Patients who do not attend Communication Plus may also be referred to Say Aphasia. Please see below the benefits that I believe people get from having access to Say Aphasia: Emotional and Social Benefits Reduces isolation: Aphasia can make communication difficult, leading to social withdrawal. Say Aphasia provides a safe environment to connect with others who understand. Builds confidence: Sharing experiences and communicating in a supportive setting helps rebuild self-esteem and confidence in social situations. Emotional validation: Members of Say Aphasia can express frustrations and successes with people who truly “get it,” reducing feelings of loneliness or being misunderstood. Encourages peer support: Participants often motivate and inspire each other through shared coping strategies and success stories. Communication Practice Safe space to communicate: Say Aphasia provides opportunities to practice speaking, listening, reading, or writing without fear of judgment. Reinforces therapy goals: Communication techniques learned in speech-language therapy can be applied and reinforced in real conversations. Exposure to different strategies: Members can learn new compensatory strategies (e.g., gestures, drawing, using technology) by observing others. Improved Quality of Life Sense of belonging and purpose: Being part of a community can restore identity and improve overall well-being. Encouragement for long-term recovery: Continued participation can help sustain motivation for communication improvement and community re-engagement. Want to find out more from Catriona Lee? Click here to send an email. back to Evidence of Need Manage Cookie Preferences