A traumatic brain injury can happen to anyone — from a car crash, a fall, or even domestic violence — and a local therapist says many people don’t realize they’ve had one until the emotional and cognitive effects are already taking a toll on their daily lives.
Jennifer Cox, a therapist with Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, joined FLX Morning on March 5 to discuss traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), their wide-ranging effects, and the resources available to survivors and their caregivers in the region.
A TBI occurs when an external force — such as a blow or fall — disrupts the brain’s normal function. Cox noted that TBIs are far more prevalent than most people realize. According to 2021 estimates, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury every nine seconds, and approximately 190 TBI-related deaths occur every day.
The effects vary widely depending on the location and severity of the injury but can include difficulties with cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, maintaining relationships, and holding a job. Cox pointed out that TBIs are frequently overlooked in older adults, particularly when a fall results in a more visible injury like a broken hip, and that women in domestic violence situations face elevated risk — women seeking care for head, neck, or face injuries are seven and a half times more likely to be domestic violence survivors than those seeking care for other injuries.
One of the more frustrating barriers to diagnosis, Cox explained, is insurance coverage. Some health insurers will not acknowledge a TBI diagnosis without both a before and after brain scan — something most people simply don’t have on file.
Cox emphasized that therapy plays an important role not only for TBI survivors learning to adapt to changes in their brain, but also for family members and caregivers who may experience burnout. “No one ever wants to say they are burnt out by caregiving,” she said, “but that stress is very real.”
For those seeking more information, Cox recommended the Brain Injury Association of America at biausa.org. Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes offers individual therapy, in-school youth services, and advocacy for domestic violence survivors. They can be reached at fcsfl.org, where visitors can connect with a care coordinator to find appropriate services.