FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES  –   FORT BRAGG, NC-- In their quest to provide top-notch care to active-duty service members, the Womack Army Medical Center Intrepid Spirit Center on Fort Bragg continuously monitors and improves their services. Their latest addition is the CBITE Plus program, which is an addendum to the Comprehensive Brain Injury Team Evaluation (CBITE) program that has long been a core component of Intrepid services.

“This treatment program uses education to provide understanding, therapies to help treat service members symptoms and employs techniques to rehabilitate the parts of the brain that were injured,” said Commander Katherine Demers, Intrepid Spirit Center, Executive Director.

Developed by Dr. Jillian Ballantyne and Lieutenant Commander Jodi Moore, the CBITE Plus Program is designed to provide additional therapeutic services to service members going through the CBITE program. Per Dr. Ballantyne, clinical psychologist, “the purpose of CBITE Plus is to help Service Members return to full cognitive and emotional fitness by giving them the taste of an intensive outpatient patient program without requiring that time commitment.”

The flexible schedule of classes addresses the physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges faced by service members on their journey to brain health and recovery following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Service members can choose from a range of engaging classes including Art and Mindfulness, Relaxation, Nutrition for Brain Health, iREST, CBT for Pain, Cognitive Retraining 101, and Mindful Movement (options include Tai Chi and Yoga).

“These classes can be very beneficial. I have seen time and time again, once service members take a class or two in the morning, they end up staying the entire morning, enjoying the sense of community and camaraderie,” said Lieutenant Commander Jodi Moore, Concussion Care Clinic, section chief. Following an experimental launch, CBITE Plus classes are now offered on the first, second, and third Thursday of each month. There is a mandatory orientation, but all other classes remain optional.

The clinic has also re-launched their Caregiver/Partner/ Spousal Support Group led by a Behavioral Health Technician, under the supervision of Dr. Ballantyne. This group will provide accurate information about traumatic brain injury, the course of recovery, and what caregivers can expect along the way. The group meets every first Thursday at 10:30 a.m. but is in the process of being transitioned to a virtual group to facilitate improved attendance.

Moore reflects on her experience working with Service Members. "Seeing people in pain or people you know hurting physically and emotionally can be very moving, but I love it when they improve and are getting better. When you see them smiling and improving, that's very rewarding."

CBITE Plus participants are Service Members referred to the Intrepid Spirit Center for care. They are initially evaluated by a Concussion Care Manager who reviews their history and symptoms and refers them to the appropriate in-house care. For more information about the Intrepid Spirit Center visit https://womack.tricare.mil/Health-Services/Specialty-Care/Brain-Injury-Medicine