New Alaska TBI Resource Locator

The State of Alaska Department of Health has provided a new online resource for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Survivors!

This tool allows TBI survivors to search for healthcare services and providers by:

• Region

• In-person or online services

• Population or age

• And Medicare Medicaid coverage. 

Here is what the search options looks like:

The State of Alaska defines Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injuries as:

“an injury that occurs from physical force or internal damage to the brain or its coverings, not of a degenerative or congenital nature, that produces an altered mental state and that results in a decrease in cognitive, behavioral, or physical functioning.” (AS 47.80.529)

Some of the search options include:

• Telehealth 

• Speech Language Pathology 

• Audiology  

• Mental Health Support 

• Headaches, Concussions 

• Chronic Pain 

• Primary Care 

• Nutrition 

• Sleep 

• Cognitive Therapy 

• Pain Management 

• Vision 

• Memory 

• Caregiver Services 

• Assisted Living 

• Balance/ Vestibular Support 

• School Support 

• Neurology 

• and more

Check it out for yourself: Alaska TBI Resource Locator

TBI survivors cope with various symptoms throughout their entire body, often months post injury.

While head injuries (also referred to as concussions) can cause mild, moderate, or severe symptoms, almost no two brain injury survivors share the exact same symptoms.

One head injury survivor may experience difficulty with memory, balance, and impaired hearing 6 months after the injury. 

Another survivor may struggle with sleep, difficulty with managing emotions, headaches, and changes in vision 2 years post injury.

TBI survivors can heal from their injury. Recovery is possible, and it does happen!

Recovery is best supported through an interdisciplinary healthcare team, specific to each unique person and their head injury. 

Consult with your healthcare team or primary care provider if you are struggling with symptoms after a brain injury regarding other types of healthcare which may support recovery.

TBI recovery can be challenging not only for survivors but also their family, loved ones, friends, and community. 

It is vital for survivors to maintain a sense of connection with the important people in their lives; and it’s important for the people around survivors to keep in mind this person will change, or be less available, as they recover from a brain injury.

Check out this post for more information around Brain Injury Awareness which covers explains causes and signs of head injuries, how TBI's impact survivors, prevention, how psychotherapy services can aid recovery, and more TBI specific resources.

Common Brain Injury Symptoms Include:

• Confusion

• Headache, dizziness

• Sensitivity to light (especially indoor fluorescent lights)

• Changes in pupil dilation

• Slurred or delayed speech

• Less stable when standing or walking, tripping or falling more

• Nausea

• Changes in sleep quality or pattern

• Loss of consciousness

  • Note: someone can incur a brain injury without losing consciousness. This is one reason people may overlook a head injury

If you are a brain injury survivor in Alaska looking for a therapist, I offer online telehealth counseling sessions and in person outdoor walking therapy; learn more here.

Or you can call me today for a free 15-minute consultation: 907-744-7026.

About the Author:

  I hold a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. I support adult women, men, and non-binary Alaskans using individual or group therapy delivered through telehealth sessions and in-person outdoor therapy sessions in Anchorage, AK.

My approach is trauma-informed, person-centered, and I use the biopsychosocial model to better understand who you are as an entire person outside of a therapy session. I am LGBTQ+ friendly and an ADHD/Autism affirming therapist.

I am working as a pre-licensed therapist pursuing my LPC in Alaska under the supervision of Psychologist and board-approved supervisor Dr. Ekstrom (#196093, #125200).

Learn more about me and the services I offer here

This information is provided as general information and is not to be used as medical advice or treatment. Readers may use this information for self-improvement purposes and general knowledge, but always seek the advice and opinion from your primary care provider or healthcare team.

This information does not qualify as a diagnosis or diagnostic tool.