Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injury is any type of mechanical, physical injury or trauma to the brain tissue. This can happen with concussions, seizures, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, combat, or other trauma. This causes disruption in the brain tissue and thus in the neurotransmitters in the tissue. This can lead to symptoms of memory loss, personality changes, depression, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, psychosis, or even mania.

TBI can be devastating but there is hope for patients and families. The brain is incredibly plastic, which means that it has the ability to adapt and change. If supplied with the proper nutrients or supporting psychotropic medication, relief can be found. Supportive therapy and counseling is also very beneficial to the brain's healing process, as it aids the process of redeveloping healthy thought processes and neuronal connections.

Facing TBI can be very frustrating even with services. Individuals often feel out of control, helpless, and grieve the loss of identity, expression, self. It is crucial for families to receive support and to learn self-care and healthy boundaries because TBI is a beginning not an end. Understanding that the trauma can change the physical anatomy of the brain, emotional regulation, and personality allows room for empathy and compassion. While certain behaviors should be addressed, TBI victims also require encouragement and reassurance. It is important to identify signs of TBI for timely intervention, as TBI symptoms can further develop into severe psychosis, mania, or mood instability. The beginning of healing is treating the whole person, not just the neurological injury.

Psychotherapy is highly beneficial to establish emotion regulation and identify patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. To help patients grieve their trauma, our team utilizes Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), somatic experiencing, and creative expression. These practices lead to skills that not only support emotional healing, but also encourage healthy restructuring of neuronal pathways in the brain.

Another treatment option with strong outcomes is TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), which has been shown to produce significant improvement in a large percentage of cases. This FDA-approved procedure uses targeted magnetic pulses to influence brain activity in key regions involved in mood regulation and cognitive functioning. Research indicates that traumatic experiences can disrupt typical brain signaling, and TMS can help promote more balanced and adaptive neural patterns. Many patients experience long-term symptom reduction, with less dependence on addictive medications to stabilize mood.

We also provide medication management when quick stabilization is needed. This may include antipsychotic medications to support neurotransmitter regulation, antidepressants to aid serotonin balance, or mood stabilizers for impulsivity and emotional outbursts. Long-term medication treatment involves a functional approach that considers how trauma has affected specific neural systems. Supplements such as free-form amino acids (the building blocks of neurotransmitters) and micronutrients can also improve cognitive function and support brain healing.

TBI patients require consistency and healthy brain stimulation. Social interaction is also key to stimulate healthy pathways in the brain, helping it to make lasting connections. An anti-inflammatory diet, exercise, and consistent medication or supplement compliance is also key to supporting the brain’s healing and promoting longevity and increasing quality of life. Last, a lot of listening is necessary for every person recovering from TBI. Psychiatric and neurological symptoms can change so family care and long term counseling, coaching or psychotherapy are critical. Feeling safe is a big part of the individual engaging other services like occupational therapy, speech therapy and other services like dental or acupuncture. DBT and breathwork can be applied anywhere so these are ongoing.