Marcus Institute for Brain Health

The Marcus Institute for Brain Health (MIBH) provides exceptional care for people with mild-to-moderate brain injuries, including concussions, and changes in psychological health. The MIBH has specialty services for military Veterans and First Responders with mild-to-moderate Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), post-traumatic stress (PTS), depression, and anxiety. We also serve retired athletes who have had head trauma and are in need of comprehensive care. The MIBH is located in the beautiful Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, that is integrated into the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Our passion to improve care extends beyond the CU campus or even the borders of Colorado.

At the MIBH, our complete focus is to help you get better. People struggling with the persistent effects of mild to moderate brain injuries see changes in emotions, physical functioning, and thinking. These changes directly affect everyday life and impact how we see ourselves as well as relationships with family, friends, and co-workers.  At the MIBH, we believe in wellness for you and for your loved ones. We encourage your family to participate in your care. Health and wellness extends to all parts of your life, and we believe that with the right tools we can help make this your reality.

For many years people struggled alone with mild-to-moderate brain injuries. Concussions have been misunderstood as “just a bump on the head.” Today we know differently. There are clear changes in brain functioning after injury and for many people there are long-term changes. This is the reality for military Veterans and First Responders who may also struggle with PTS, depression, and anxiety. Our retired athletes are faced with the possibility of sport-related brain changes. We know that treatment for TBIs and changes in psychological health requires a sophisticated healthcare team. The MIBH exists to fill this critical need for comprehensive, customized care.​​

Patients at the MIBH are treated as a person first. We welcome Veterans of any discharge status at no out of pocket cost. Our intensive, outpatient program combines the best tools in traditional rehabilitation with complementary medicines so you can heal. At the MIBH, we are here to help because there may be nothing “mild” about mild to moderate TBI.

Experience defines the intervention team at the MIBH. Clinical expertise in TBI and psychological health is much more than knowing the science. It’s how we take the research and apply it for each patient in a unique way. Caring is a science and expertise comes from years of experience, “marrying” the research base and our own clinical judgment. ​

In addition to expertise, the therapists at the MIBH are flexible and team-based. Having all the treating professionals in one place means that interdisciplinary care is at your fingertips. We know that care in one location makes life easier for you and is effective to help with your physical, cognitive, and emotional needs.

We have a dedicated research scholar to ensure that we continue to provide cutting edge interventions as the science of blast injuries, sport-related concussive, and subconcussive injuries continues to evolve. Our mission is to provide you with the best possible care available.

Cognitive (Speech-Language) Therapy 
Successful communication is taken for granted by many people. This is more than just moving your mouth the right way. It’s about thinking of what to say and getting your ideas out clearly. Sometimes understanding the meaning of a message can be equally frustrating.

In speech-cognitive therapy, we do work on communication, but we also address thinking skills and how fatigue changes the game. Many people notice changes in attention, memory, and more complex skills, like planning, organization, and time management. Speech-cognitive therapy gives you the tools both to remember your keys and plan ahead for tomorrow.​

​Physical Therapy
Our Concussion and traumatic brain injury can cause invisible symptoms such as dizziness, headache, altered vision, unsteadiness, fatigue, mental fogginess and exercise intolerance. These symptoms interfere with daily life activities, home and professional responsibilities and social engagement. Pain from complex traumatic injuries involving limb loss, spinal, muscular or join injuries can also interfere with optimal recovery. Prolonged lack of regular activity can result in chronic pain and abnormal movement, creating a cycle of disability.

Physical therapists help determine the triggers of these symptoms, and will design a vestibular and neuromuscular rehabilitation program to gradually reduce symptoms and restore functional mobility. The entire team of specialists at MIBH collaborates to analyze layers of symptoms, determine safe activity tolerance, and to educate individuals and their family members for improved personal awareness and health management.​

Counseling & Psychological services​​
After TBI, some people notice changes in emotional health right away, and for others emotional changes develop over time. You know the struggles in your own life. Maybe post-traumatic stress is a constant. Maybe it’s anxiety and depression. Sometimes the changes in personality and sleep impact one the most. Care begins with in-depth neuropsychological assessment.

Our psychologists and social workers are experienced in both TBI and psychological health needs. This means they understand how the physical and cognitive effects of TBIs interact with your emotions. Counselors may work with you on trauma resolution, regaining emotional control, or sleep health. Your individual needs will steer your work in emotional healing.

Complementary & Alternative Therapies
For centuries, people have known that healing occurs in many ways. At the MIBH, we integrate many complementary and healing practices in our care. In fact, we find that they allow more traditional types of therapies to work better.
As we are located within the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center​, options are at our fingertips. Some of our complementary therapies are:

Currently Available ***(some treatments may be unavailable due to Covid-19 protocols)***

• Acupuncture/Acupressure
• Therapeutic Massage
• Mindfulness Training
• Yoga
• Canine Therapy
• Equine Therapy
• Art Therapy​