Samantha Sanderson Brown is an expert on the emotions associated with concussions and ways to manage those emotions. As a psychologist, she helps patients navigate a variety of cognitive issues to help them return to everyday life.

“As many of us know, suffering a mild brain injury can be very disruptive to daily life. While having difficulties thinking, we are asked to manage appointments, keep track of our activity level, and monitor our symptoms so it is not surprising that emotional consequences of concussion can be complex. Sometimes mood problems are related to the physical injury and other times our mood shifts as we try to navigate recovery. Often, it is both of these things. Add in the misinformation and premature conclusions about the long-term impact of concussions that are available on the internet, and we have a recipe for anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, psychologists, counselors, and other mental health providers are not immune to this misinformation and many of us are not well-versed in concussion which can cause unintentional problems in the healing process. As a result, it is important that during your concussion recovery, you work with someone who can balance the importance of respecting the injury while maintaining hope for full recovery. During my talk, I will discuss the emotional impact of concussions,offer some tips for how to find a knowledgeable mental health care provider to help guide you through the recovery process, and identify red flags for when to think about changing therapists. I look forward to meeting with you!”