Unsuccessful social communication after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often a consequence of self-regulatory (executive function) impairments. The primary goal of this article is to describe an approach to intervention for individuals with self-regulatory impairments that is individualised, sensitive to context and to the role of everyday communication partners, and supported by personally compelling metaphors. After a brief review of the social communication outcome literature, an innovative approach to improving social competence is presented and illustrated. The article ends with a review of the evidence base for social skills and self-talk interventions.