CBIS Spotlight: Gillian Murray
Categories: ACBIS Insider, Professionals
Dr. Gillian Murray has a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University, In addition to being a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, she is also a Licensed Social Worker. Dr. Murray has conducted research on compassion fatigue in brain injury rehabilitation professionals, program evaluation of a grant-funded program to increase awareness of TBI in individuals experiencing intimate partner violence and those involved in the criminal justice system, and most recently a pilot study on the effectiveness and feasibility of Virtual Reality Mindfulness Modules in individuals with TBI. Dr. Murray works as a social worker on the acute inpatient rehabilitation unit of the Drucker Brain Injury Center, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Mind Your Brain Foundation.
What made you choose a career in brain injury? Why are you passionate about BI?
My original career was actually in music, and it did not give me the sense of meaning that I needed in my career. While I was reconsidering my career options, a residential brain injury program hired me as an administrative assistant. The determination and resiliency of the residents, whose lives were significantly altered by the unexpected traumatic events that caused their brain injuries, as well as the passion and dedication of the staff who cared for them struck me. It was due to this experience that I decided to pursue degrees in social work so that I could be better equipped to help individuals and their families navigate the profound challenges after brain injury, while providing hope that there is life after brain injury.
Based on your knowledge and experience, what should brain injury professionals know about intimate partner violence (IPV) and brain injury?
I will never forget the first client that I worked with who sustained multiple TBIs from IPV. It took years for a healthcare professional to finally recognize that this individual had TBIs. It made me wonder how many more individuals who experience IPV have an undiagnosed TBI, which led to a colleague and I creating a program to raise awareness about TBI and educate professionals of IPV organizations on resources and treatment available for TBI. The impact of IPV is so complex and encompassing that often the focus of care is on crisis management and ensuring safety; the presence (and impact) of TBI is often overlooked. It is imperative for those working with individuals experiencing IPV to be aware of the incidence of TBI, the subsequent physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional deficits, and how to connect these individuals to brain injury rehabilitation and resources. Additionally, professionals must be able to employ appropriate evidence-based strategies to support individuals, especially those experiencing cognitive deficits, in order to improve treatment outcomes. It is likely that an individual who sustained their TBI due to IPV is also receiving services from an IPV organization. This is where brain injury professionals have a unique opportunity to collaborate with professionals within IPV organizations to provide education about how to effectively support an individual with a TBI.
How can brain injury professionals advocate for survivors of IPV and child abuse? What have been your experiences at the local, state, and/or federal level?
It is very important for brain injury professionals to be aware of the incidence of TBI in individuals experiencing IPV and child abuse, to have open and honest conversations about it, and to be knowledgeable about the existing resources for both TBI and IPV/child abuse in your local area. We need to continue to provide education and raise awareness – present at conferences, offer seminars to local human service agencies, and present to students entering the healthcare profession. Brain injury professionals need to work in conjunction with IPV and child abuse agencies, to share resources with one another, and to advocate for continued funding and resources in order to best serve this population. Additionally, being involved with advocacy organizations, such as PINK Concussions, and seeking formal education/training on IPV is invaluable to brain injury rehabilitation professionals. I trained the staff of multiple IPV organizations (including a webinar for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence) and City of Philadelphia departments on the incidence of TBI and how to connect individuals to appropriate medical care/brain injury resources. All of the staff and leadership were very receptive and committed to incorporating TBI screenings into their intake assessment and other practices. It was an incredible opportunity to increase awareness and advocate for individuals with TBI, and established ongoing collaboration between organizations.
Why is having a CBIS important to you? How is it helpful in your daily work?
The process of obtaining a CBIS affords brain injury professionals with a comprehensive education about brain injury, the continuum of care, and evidence based interventions/treatment. In my academic programs, there was not an opportunity to receive formal in-depth education on specific populations, such as brain injury; there was a general overview provided, such as serving individuals with disabilities. I personally sought formal education through obtaining my CBIS, CEUs, and other available trainings relevant to brain injury rehabilitation so that I could provide the best possible care to those I serve.
What recommendations would you make regarding increasing CBIS and CBIST involvement with BIAA or ACBIS (other than certification)?
As I mentioned above, it can be very powerful for multiple brain injury professionals to come together to share knowledge, collaborate with one another, and support one another. Attending or presenting BIAA or ACBIS trainings provide such opportunities, and ultimately result in increasing the quality of the care that we provide to those impacted by brain injury.