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Counselling in Victoria, BC
Brain Injury, Concussion & TBI Recovery Support in Victoria, BC
Compassionate counselling for brain injury, concussion, and TBI survivors and their families — adjust to change, rebuild identity, and manage emotions. You can begin before everything feels unmanageable.
Care led by Dawn Cox, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), BCACC #3555
Dawn is often in session, so calls usually go to voicemail. Leave a message or send a text and she will get back to you as soon as possible.
Registered Clinical Counsellor · BCACC #3555
M.Ed. Educational Psychology · UVic
BCPFFA Endorsed — Bronze
Completed Gottman Method Level 2 Training
Written and clinically reviewed by Dawn Cox, Registered Clinical Counsellor, BCACC #3555 · Reviewed July 2026
Recognizing the experience
What this can feel like
Recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, or post-concussion syndrome is a complex journey that affects far more than just physical health.
You might find yourself struggling with sudden emotional shifts, feeling easily frustrated, anxious, or deeply sad without a clear reason. Cognitive fatigue is common, making daily tasks feel overwhelming and leaving you feeling disconnected from your previous capabilities.
It can be incredibly difficult to adjust to these sudden life changes, often leading to a sense of lost identity and shaken confidence.
More about the experience of brain injury, concussion & tbi recovery support
For families and caregivers, the experience can be equally challenging as you navigate new roles, try to understand the changes in your loved one, and manage your own stress and grief.
A collaborative process
How counselling can support change
Sessions focus on what is happening now, what keeps the pattern going, and which practical or reflective tools fit your goals and capacity.
Counselling for brain injury, concussion, and TBI recovery at Dawn Cox Counselling provides a supportive space to process these profound changes.
We understand that emotional regulation is often directly impacted by the injury, so we focus on providing practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, and frustration.
We work collaboratively to rebuild your sense of identity, helping you rediscover your strengths and adapt to new abilities. Our approach is deeply empathetic and grounded in trauma-informed care, ensuring that we move at a pace that respects your cognitive energy.
We also offer dedicated support for families, helping loved ones understand the recovery process and find healthy ways to maintain strong, patient connections.
Explore how this work is adapted in sessions
The therapeutic process begins by establishing a clear understanding of your current challenges and capabilities. We prioritize creating a low-stress environment where you feel heard and respected.
Sessions often involve developing cognitive and daily life strategies, such as techniques for managing overwhelm or improving communication with family members. We focus on setting meaningful, realistic goals that foster hope and resilience.
Because recovery is non-linear, we continuously adapt our approach to meet your evolving needs, ensuring that therapy remains a supportive anchor throughout your journey.
Start the conversation
Would it help to talk this through?
Brain Injury, Concussion & TBI Recovery Support sessions are available in person in Victoria and online across Canada. A free 15-minute consultation gives you a chance to ask questions and decide whether the fit feels right.
Dawn is often in session, so calls usually go to voicemail. Leave a message or send a text and she will get back to you as soon as possible.
What you can expect
Why people choose our practice
Accountable professional care
Dawn is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors, registration #3555.
In-person and online options
Sessions are available in person in Victoria and online across Canada.
Start with a brief consultation
Ask questions and get a sense of fit before deciding whether to move forward. There is no pressure to commit.
Pacing and process
What to expect in sessions
01
This service is designed for TBI survivors, concussion survivors, and those navigating post-concussion syndrome recovery at any stage of their recovery, as well as their caregivers and family members.
02
It is for those who are ready to explore their new reality and build a fulfilling life moving forward. Deciding to talk to someone takes courage. Many people wonder if what they are experiencing is bad enough for therapy, but you do not have to be in crisis to deserve support.
03
Connecting with a counsellor available in person in Victoria and online across Canada can provide the specialized understanding you need. Sessions are available in person in Victoria and online across Canada.
04
A significant part of the recovery process involves learning to manage the profound grief that often accompanies a brain injury, concussion, or TBI. This is not just sadness; it is a mourning process for the person you were before the injury and the future you had planned.
See more about pacing and the therapy process
05
You might feel a deep sense of loss regarding your career, your independence, or your previous level of physical ability. In our sessions, we do not try to rush you through this grief or offer toxic positivity. Instead, we provide a safe container to acknowledge and validate these losses.
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By fully processing this grief, rather than suppressing it, you create the emotional space necessary to begin accepting your new reality and finding meaning in your life as it is now.
A possible fit
Who this support may be for
We also place a strong emphasis on addressing the invisible symptoms of brain injury, concussion, and TBI — particularly the extreme sensitivity to sensory input and the resulting social isolation.
Many survivors find that busy environments, bright lights, or loud noises quickly become intolerable, leading them to withdraw from social activities they used to enjoy. This withdrawal can quickly lead to depression and a feeling of being disconnected from the world.
We work with you to develop specific, actionable strategies for managing sensory overload.
Read more about fit and related concerns
This might involve learning how to pace your activities, how to communicate your needs clearly to friends and family without feeling guilty, and how to gradually reintroduce social engagement in a way that feels safe and manageable.
Furthermore, we recognize the critical importance of addressing the unique strain placed on intimate relationships and family dynamics.
The roles within a family often shift dramatically after a brain injury, concussion, or TBI, with partners suddenly becoming caregivers, which can lead to resentment, guilt, and a loss of romantic connection. We offer dedicated space to navigate these complex shifts.
For caregivers, we focus on establishing boundaries and managing compassion fatigue, ensuring you do not lose yourself in the care of your loved one.
For couples, we work on rebuilding intimacy and finding new ways to connect that honor the changes in your relationship, moving away from a patient-caregiver dynamic back toward a balanced partnership.
Independent public feedback
Google Reviews
View feedback published independently on Google. Review content does not confirm any person's relationship with the practice.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Difficulty regulating emotions, including anger and frustration, is very common after a brain injury, concussion, or TBI. We work on identifying the early signs of overwhelm and practice specific grounding techniques to help you manage these feelings safely. We review this collaboratively and adjust the plan as your needs, preferences, and current capacity change.
Absolutely. Grieving the loss of your pre-injury abilities and identity is a profound and necessary part of the recovery process. Therapy provides a safe space to process this grief and begin building a new, meaningful sense of self. We review this collaboratively and adjust the plan as your needs, preferences, and current capacity change.
We are highly mindful of cognitive fatigue. We can adjust the length of sessions, take frequent breaks, and ensure our conversations are focused and manageable, avoiding unnecessary overwhelm. We review this collaboratively and adjust the plan as your needs, preferences, and current capacity change.
With your explicit written consent, we are happy to collaborate with your doctors, occupational therapists, or other rehabilitation professionals to ensure you are receiving cohesive, comprehensive care. We review this collaboratively and adjust the plan as your needs, preferences, and current capacity change.
Virtual sessions can be highly beneficial, as they eliminate the stress and fatigue of travelling to an appointment. We ensure the virtual environment is calm and easy to navigate for our clients. We review this collaboratively and adjust the plan as your needs, preferences, and current capacity change.
A supportive first step
Ready to ask about brain injury, concussion & tbi recovery support?
Use a free 15-minute conversation to ask questions, understand the process, and decide whether our practice feels like the right fit.
Dawn is often in session, so calls usually go to voicemail. Leave a message or send a text and she will get back to you as soon as possible.