Nancy Bauser, ACSW, BCETS, BCDT, CPC
Trauma Recovery Expert, LLC
4260 Wabeek Lake Drive South
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
ABOUT
The first thing you should know about a Trauma Recovery Expert, is what their qualifications are.
With Nancy, you have the answer directly from her - someone who lived (and lives) the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury.
"What do I know better than anyone else? My answer to those questions is; I can speak of my experiences recovering from a severe brain stem injury. From being a patient on life-support through rehabilitation and recovery multiple times, to where I am today is what I know better than anyone else. "
Nancy Bauser survived a head-on collision in which she sustained a severe brain-stem injury while she was a senior at the University of Michigan in 1971. After rehabilitating and recovering for only nine months, she chose to return school and complete her undergraduate education.
Life was not easy for Nancy.
"After being fired from two hospital social work positions in alcohol treatment for reasons I never understood, I got on Social Security Disability. Just because I was now considered 100% disabled by the federal government, I did not quit trying to attain goals. I did what I could and I earned multiple professional credentials. "
Nancy received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973. She went on to obtain a master’s degree in social work, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976. In 1984, Nancy was admitted to the Academy of Certified Social Workers, A.C.S.W. After working as a peer counselor for out-patient mental health & substance abuse clinics, Nancy developed a 24 week format for teaching acceptance of injury, disability or illness, in 2000.
Her book is called Acceptance Groups for Survivors, A Guide for Facilitators and first editions are available from her web site. In 2004, Nancy obtained recognition from The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. She is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress, with a Board Certification in Disability Trauma. In 2008, Nancy did two things. She became a member of the National Center for Crisis Management and chose to re-publish her book so she could display her new credentials and change the color of the cover. In Recognition of Perseverance, Determination and Never-Quit Spirit, Nancy was named a 2009 Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame Semifinalist. From the International Association of Business Leaders, Nancy was presented with a 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award. Nancy also was selected as a recipient of the University of Michigan Council for Disability Concerns’ 2010 Certificate of Appreciation. Nancy combines lessons she has learned as a 39 year survivor of a catastrophe, with her social work education and training as a Disability Life Coach, to provide modeling, motivation and support coaching services to those who have experienced trauma and those who support them.
Nancy is still learning and growing, still working for those who she feels need her help.
"After reading a book by Dr. Patrick Williams, Ed.D, & Dr. Deborah C. Davis, Ed.D, called Therapist as Life Coach, Transforming Your Practice, I realized that as a social worker who was functioning as a peer counselor, I was coaching patients on how to navigate the recovery process. Wanting to learn more, I enrolled in the International Coaching Academy in 2008.
I expect to graduate from International Coaching Academy with a CPCP certificate (Certified Professional Coach Program) in December of 2011. As a student, I've coached people from across the globe, from Thailand to Australia and from Alaska to California, and I've learned that we all share more than we differ, when we speak of living with disabilities. To me, Recovery is not only Making Progress, it is Taking One Step. I'm an authentic Trauma Recovery Expert because that is precisely what I have done."