Psychological Treatment Models for Survivors of Critical Illness

There is consensus that being critically ill contributes to the development of both new and worsening cognitive and psychological difficulties that impact functioning across multiple domains, including educational, social, and employment settings. Psychologists have become more aware of the scope and magnitude of these problems in recent years and are increasingly engaged in the provision of clinical services to this underserved medical cohort, both as individual providers and as key members of interdisciplinary teams. This chapter reviews key issues related to the needs of ICU survivors with postintensive care syndrome, discusses current outpatient treatment models, and offers a series of suggestions to help optimize the cognitive, mental, and functional health and quality of life of individuals after critical illness.