Primary objective: To examine clients’ perspectives on residential rehabilitation for acquired brain injury (ABI).

Research design: Qualitative semi-structured interviews.

Method: Seven individuals who resided in a single residential rehabilitation unit for ABI were interviewed and thematic analysis was used to identify themes in their responses.

Main outcomes and results: The analysis identified four themes: rebuilding self-belief, reflecting participants’ sense of independence and confidence in their ability; recognition of personal identity, including a number of personal traits; acceptance and change, incorporating coming to terms with their ABI and identifying change; and a sense of community atmosphere, reflecting clients’ perception of their own role and relationships with others.

Conclusion: The results provide in-depth qualitative understanding of how clients’ perceived their experience within a residential rehabilitation unit for ABI. Implications of the results are discussed, including the identification of potential beneficial talking therapies for clients within this setting.