SOFIA was a  four year research project (November 2016 to December 2020) exploring Solution Focused Brief Therapy for people with post-stroke aphasia, funded by the Stroke Association. Solution Focused Brief Therapy is an approach to building positive change in a person’s life. It builds up a picture of a client’s preferred future; encourages a person to notice positive signs of change; explores personal resources, strengths and skills; and acknowledges the impact of the stroke on a person’s life and identity.

Everyone who was a participant in SOFIA received up to 6 therapy sessions over a 3 month period. The therapy was delivered by Speech and Language Therapists with specialist support and training. We used a wait-list design: this means that everyone received the therapy, but some received it after a delay of 6 months. All participants also took part in interviews about their experiences of the project, and answered questionnaires about their emotional well-being and the impact of the aphasia on their social participation and health.