By Kristen Hopf
As a rehabilitation psychologist, Tracy E. Ransom, PsyD ’10, BCB, MSCP, works with patients at one of the most vulnerable points in their lives. In acute rehabilitation settings, she supports individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, amputations, or other life-changing conditions that require surgery—helping them process big changes while rebuilding a sense of self and hope for their futures.
In the days and weeks following a major surgery, recovery extends beyond physical care. For patients navigating sudden changes to mobility, independence or identity, the emotional aftermath can be just as disorienting—and just as important to address.
“A lot of what patients experience after surgery is grief—not just grief for what they’ve lost physically, but grief for the version of themselves they no longer recognize,” Dr. Ransom said.
That grief may emerge alongside anxiety and depression, particularly as patients confront changes in their roles within their families or communities. People who once served as caregivers may suddenly find themselves needing to be cared for, a shift that can challenge identity and confidence.
Through a biopsychosocial evaluation, Dr. Ransom learns about each patient’s background, support system and personal goals—information that helps guide individualized care within a larger interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists and recreational therapists.
A core component of Dr. Ransom’s approach is psychoeducation—helping patients understand the emotional and neurological responses that often follow trauma or surgery. By identifying reactions such as frustration, fear or impatience, she helps patients see these feelings not as failures, but as part of the healing process. Dr. Ransom also integrates tools like cognitive behavioral therapy, animal assisted therapy and mindfulness into her sessions, encouraging patients to shift away from rigid, all-or-nothing thinking. She explains that recovery rarely follows a straight path.
“A lot of my work is helping patients understand that what they’re feeling is common, and that they’re not alone in it,” Dr. Ransom said. “Recovery isn’t a straight line from point A to point B—it’s a winding road, and discouragement often comes when it doesn’t look the way people expect.”
These tools, combined with close collaboration across disciplines, allow Dr. Ransom to support patients both emotionally and practically as they work toward their rehabilitation goals. Moments of progress carry profound emotional weight for both patients and clinicians, and Dr. Ransom’s role highlights that healing is not just about repairing the body. It is about honoring vulnerability, restoring identity and walking alongside patients as they find their way forward.
© 2026 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
