When I read the book The Ghost In My Brain in 2015, I was thrilled to learn about the work of Dr. Donalee Markus. Her work with TBI survivor Clark Elliott, Ph.D. enabled him to improve his life significantly. Because I too had sustained a concussion, I realized Dr. Markus could help me improve my attention and overall functioning. When we met the first time, she asked excellent questions and knew exactly what course of action to take to help me. I highly recommend Dr. Markus, she is kind, insightful, and she really understands neurological challenges.

I began seeing Dr Marcus at Designs for Strong Minds, 3 years after suffering a traumatic brain injury. At that time I had made limited progress in my recovery. Had extreme sensitivities to light or any kind of sensory stimulation. Suffered exhaustion, depression, tremors and other difficulties. Thanks to her guidance the piles of puzzles she has given me, I am recovering my capacities, have begun working again part time, and am reclaiming my future.Donnalee Markus is warm, welcoming, engaging, and encouraging. She knows what she is doing and if you do the puzzles she gives you, YOU WILL IMPROVE!It has been less than two years, since I flew to Chicago, needing assistance, walking into her office. Due to my visual issues, I have been limited to doing only pencil and paper puzzles.If you go to see her, ask to see my piles of finished puzzles! I am working on the next pile right now!The most important thing I can tell you is DO THE PUZZLES. It is that simple. JUST DO THE PUZZLES. Your brain will improve.Apply yourself and, whether you trust the process or not, you will find yourself changing.

My wife was in a car accident and had significant issues with cognitive function impairment from post-concussive syndrome. We are now about a year out and she has been seeing Donalee for about 8 months. The puzzles and exercises are very helpful for training the brain to use new neuro-pathways. The analysis that Donalee offers and her observations of how the brain is functioning or not functioning, as you do the puzzles is remarkable. Her personalized insights for Deb, have made coping with the post-concussive symptoms more bearable. We are glad to have had the excellent thoughtful care of this innovative forward thinking brain analysis professional.

I was referred to Dr. Donalee Markus as part of my overall treatment plan for recovery from a traumatic brain injury from a car accident in 2018.I found her to be extremely helpful and experienced in the methods for using puzzles to help regain cognitive abilities lost from injury. She has a deep understanding and unique background in helping people that were high functioning before injury. This has been critical to me and it was such a relief to be understood and to have someone explain so well what was happening and the pathway for treatment.She has created thousands of puzzles and I was impressed by her ability to detect my deficits and guide me to the puzzles I needed next. Recovering from a brain injury often feels like trying to climb Mt. Everest. It’s not easy to do and you need knowledgable and caring people on your team. I found her to be all of those things and very dedicated to helping people with brain injuries, often working 6 days a week to fit everyone in.She is a gem in this world and I highly recommend Donalee. I am certainly grateful for all she has done for me.

Throughout all my schooling, I was labeled “Learning Disabled”. I always struggled with academics and figured – it’s just the way it is. I first met Donalee in 1993. Within five minutes she asked where if my contact lenses were bothering me; I said, “I don’t wear contacts”. She asked where my glasses were? I said, “I don’t wear glasses – I have 20/20 vision” Donalee implored me to go see Dr. Zelinsky; an eye function specialist. While I always tested 20/20 on the eye charts, one eye was stronger than the other. My brain was working so hard to balance my eyes that I would become fatigued after 10 minutes of reading or concentrating on anything. This was my entire life; always disorganized and unfocused. The glasses fixed that problem. I then began to work with Donalee on puzzles which retrained my brain to think in a focused and more organized way. This process completely changed my new, fledgling business and my entire life. I have referred more people to Donalee than I can count. The work she is doing is groundbreaking and life altering. I only wish I had found her 30 years earlier. Steve C.

I have a daughter who suffers from post-concussion syndrome and her relief began with Donalee. Donalee was able to pinpoint the issues and tailor her treatment to meet my daughter’s changing needs. She listened to my daughter, did not dismiss her symptoms and helped her to heal. I brought another daughter to see Donalee as she was having issues with test-taking. Donalee immediately saw that her eyes were not in sync, which made the words jump off the page as she became fatigued - something that her ophthalmologist did not pick up. She was able to get lenses to fix the problem. Donalee is passionate about her clients and always made us feel welcomed. I would highly recommend Donalee to anyone who has cognitive brain issues.

I took my daughter here to meet with Dr. Markus. My daughter has learning challenges and Dr Markus was referred to us by another specialist. I thought this might be a good fit howerver Dr. Markus was so rude to me and my daughter she actually made my daughter cry.

Total Scam. Avoid at all costs!