Allison Mezo, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIST, returns to join host Sarah Baar for part 2 of their deep dive into anosognosia, this time focusing on what SLPs can actually do in treatment. Drawing from extensive research and clinical experience, Allison and Sarah explore how to meet clients where they are on the awareness continuum and use therapy time meaningfully—even when insight is limited. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to build therapeutic alliance, structure intervention by awareness level, and foster life participation outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the current evidence base for interventions targeting anosognosia and delineate the role of the speech-language pathologist in intervention planning

• Apply evidence-based treatment approaches for anosognosia to match a patient’s level of awareness (intellectual, emergent, anticipatory)

• Solve real-world case examples to select and adapt appropriate anosognosia treatment techniques, monitor progress, and adjust intervention plans collaboratively

Timestamps

• (00:00:00) Welcome
• (00:00:05) Introduction to anosognosia treatment
• (00:01:07) Allison Mezo’s background and clinical perspective
• (00:03:10) Why treating awareness matters in rehab
• (00:07:19) Evidence-based foundations of treatment
• (00:08:49) Core principles: motivational interviewing, feedback, and more
• (00:14:19) Aligning treatment with awareness levels
• (00:15:17) Treating clients with no awareness
• (00:19:39) Clinical example: “Mary” and environmental supports
• (00:23:11) Therapy at the intellectual awareness level
• (00:28:09) “Mary’s” progress: intellectual awareness in action
• (00:34:20) Therapy at the emergent awareness level
• (00:38:13) Experiential learning and the predict-perform-reflect cycle
• (00:40:25) Anticipatory awareness: planning ahead in therapy
• (00:42:30) “Mary” at the anticipatory stage
• (00:45:10) Three actionable takeaways for clinicians
• (00:50:15) Final words of wisdom on building alliance

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