How do you help families develop an understanding of spinal cord injury? - Laura Tuck, PsyD

When a family member approaches me about a brand-new injury, similar to the patient, I want to find out what they already know and meet them where they’re at in the process. I would like to learn how you learn best, and what you’re really the most worried about and making sure that I’m meeting those needs. If it’s just forming rapport with staff to get a better understanding, if it’s written materials, if it’s videos—we’ll do whatever we can to meet you wherever you’re at with your learning needs and your personal needs to fully understand that. Sometimes it’s very helpful to include the whole team in these conversations as well, so maybe we’ll select a couple different people where you’re having questions around to make sure that they’re fully addressed from different angles. And that we’re being very mindful about what’s the most important to you in that moment.