After a brain injury, individuals may participate in acute rehabilitation as hospital inpatients where they are physically stabilized. Inpatients will then receive post-acute rehabilitation or outpatient rehabilitation. During this period, patients begin to notice changes in cognitive, behavioral and emotional aspects of their lives. Cognitive deficits may be noticed in memory or problem solving. Behavioral problems may include acting in a socially inappropriate manner. Depression and anxiety are examples of emotional factors that may become more noticeable.

During the rehabilitation process, a patient's family and friends are educated about brain injuries and their outcomes. They can begin to understand why there may be certain types of deficits and how to deal with them. In addition, they learn how to use their loved one's strengths to reduce the handicaps that may result from brain injury.