Andrea Grasmick LPCC, EdD

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) or concussions are difficult because we experience them and others do not see, hear, or feel the symptoms. The severity of a concussion can mean that we experience long-term effects and need support in managing what is happening as well as working with the relationships surrounding us. With patience and new tools, we can work through the recovery and find strength in every day.

We don't always love the body we inhabit and the pressure to look and feel a certain way is debilitating at times. Sometimes the pressure comes from outside and sometimes from within. From a strengths-based and cognitive-behavioral therapy perspective, we can address feelings and thoughts that are keeping you from realizing your potential and strengths in physical, emotional and mental aspects of who you are.

Sometimes we do not need an extensive therapeutic relationship to address our issues and coaching is what we need to move forward. My approach to coaching is collaborative in developing your goals, understanding your identity and integrating solutions that are focused and time sensitive. This may mean building our intrinsic motivation, managing our anxiety or nervousness, working through a significant change, or addressing relationship issues with communication and problem-solving skills.

Sometimes we are just in our own heads too much! Many times, our thoughts serve us and help us evaluate situations, slow down, make a good decision or talk us out of a bad deal. However, our thoughts may also hold us back, be unproductive or even lying to us. The relationship between our thoughts and our behaviors is strong and by working through how they relate, we can then make significant change that improves our perspective on situations and relationships.

The depth of acceptance and commitment therapy makes it a flexible and strategic resource for working through complex situations, feelings and thoughts. We can use it to address surface issues or we can use it find acceptance of our situation, understanding multiple perspectives and committing to the change that helps influence behavior and increase psychological flexibility.