Navigating Life
After Brain Injury
At Castillo Psychotherapy and Counseling, we provide specialized emotional support for individuals adjusting to life after a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury. TBI can affect mood, memory, concentration, relationships and overall functioning in ways that feel overwhelming and difficult to understand.
Our approach focuses on creating a patient, structured and supportive space where you can process the emotional impact of the injury, explore changes in functioning and learn practical strategies to regain confidence in your day-to-day life.
Recovery Is More Than Medical
We recognize that recovering from a TBI is not solely a medical process. It is also an emotional, cognitive and relational adjustment.
Therapy can provide clarity, stability and guidance as you navigate these changes.
When TBI Support Is Helpful
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Therapy can be helpful at any stage after a TBI, especially when symptoms begin to interfere with your emotional well-being, work, relationships or identity. Many individuals feel misunderstood or frustrated because TBI symptoms are often invisible to others.
Difficulty with concentration or slowed thinking
Memory problems or forgetfulness
Fatigue, overstimulation or sensory overload
Irritability, mood swings or emotional sensitivity
Anxiety or fear related to symptoms and recovery
Feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks
Changes in independence or daily functioning
Grief related to the loss of previous abilities
Relationship strain due to emotional or cognitive changes
Difficulty returning to work or managing responsibilities
Common concerns we support include:
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Therapy provides a place to understand these symptoms
rather than blame yourself for them.
How Therapy Helps After a TBI
Therapy can play a significant role in emotional and functional recovery. Our work aims to help you develop self-awareness, coping tools and confidence while adapting to changes at a pace that honors your nervous system.
Potential benefits include:
Understanding how TBI affects thinking, emotions and behavior
Strategies to manage frustration, irritability or emotional reactivity
Improved regulation when feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated
Strengthening communication with loved ones about your symptoms
Support adjusting to new roles, expectations and limitations
Reducing shame or self-criticism tied to cognitive changes
Rebuilding confidence in your abilities and identity
Grieving and processing changes in functioning in a safe, supportive space
Therapy is not about “fixing” you. It is about supporting you through recovery, adjustment and emotional healing.
What to Expect in the First Session
The first session is a calm, structured conversation focused on understanding how the TBI has affected your life.
We take time to understand your symptoms, changes and concerns without rushing or overwhelming you.
During this session, we will:
• Review your injury history and current symptoms
• Explore cognitive, emotional and relational changes
• Identify areas of daily functioning that feel difficult
• Clarify your goals for therapy
• Begin creating a tailored plan to support recovery and adjustment
By the end of the session, you will have a clearer understanding of how therapy can support you and the first steps toward building stability, confidence and emotional regulation after a TBI.