During and after a burn injury, the road to recovery can be filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and frustration. The goal of our Burn Trauma Patient Support Program is to help you connect with others, build resilience, and prepare you to reenter your life with the needed tools for support. Our Burn Social Worker is trained to provide crisis intervention, therapeutic interventions, referral to community mental health resources, connection to addiction recovery, and advocacy to enhance our patients’ and families’ ability to cope with the injury or illness.
Staff
Lisa Smith, MSW, CSW
Burn Program Social Worker
TraumaProgramSW@UofLHealth.org
During Your Stay
In addition to services available from our trauma social workers, we offer several additional inpatient therapies to support you in your recovery from traumatic injury.
- Art Therapy
- Facility Dog
- Music Therapy
- Chaplain Services
- Caregiver Hour – Trauma social workers make regular rounds on our intensive care units and the waiting room areas to meet with family and friends of patients. We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have about support, recovery and the emotional impact of trauma. Enjoy free refreshments and support items such as worry stones and stress balls. Held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Long-term Support Options
The Phoenix Society
The Phoenix Society is the leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people impacted by burn injuries. Burn survivor toolkit and other resources available online. Virtual support includes an online support group, Facebook page, peer support chat, and links to the podcast Girls with Grafts.
Outpatient Burn Clinic
Our experienced burn care staff provide evidence-based treatment options to support your recovery. Our Burn Social Worker will be available for ongoing psychosocial support.
Traumatic Injury Support Group
The traumatic injury support group is held on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern time and is hosted by your trauma social work team. Participation can be in-person or virtually.
Peer Support
A specialized approach that connects our patients with peers who have survived similar events and injuries.
Trauma Survivors Network
UofL Hospital has partnered with the Trauma Survivors Network (TSN) to further expand support to our trauma patients. The TSN is a community of patients and families like you who are looking to connect with one another and rebuild their lives after a traumatic injury. Joining this community can help build support and provide resources.
NextSteps Program
NextSteps is a series of classes focusing on self-management which aims to help individuals recognize that YOU play the most important role in your recovery. NextSteps is 100 percent free and offered online.
National Center for PTSD
Information about signs, symptoms and treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder.
MSKTC
Provides other education, support and podcasts.
