Brain Injury & Mental Health: A Survivor’s Perspective

Through the discussion of common symptoms/side effects following an acquired brain injury, participants will be able to better meet clients’ mental health needs. By participants better understanding the intersectionality of these two co-occurring disorders, specifically from a survivor’s perspective, providers and natural supports, can better work with individuals to meet them where they are at in both their recovery and stage of change. Upon the completion of this presentation, participants will have increased knowledge of how to assess for and/or encourage assessment of the mental health needs of those with brain injury, as well as better understand from a first-hand account.

Presented by: Chelsea Zarcone, LICSW, CBIS has been working in field of brain injury, both in community-based settings and inpatient rehabilitation settings for just shy of 10 years. Having received her Bachelors in Psychology, she pursued working with those living with acute mental health needs at New Hampshire Hospital, as well as adult brain injury survivors at Krempels Center; where she worked for over 2 years. During her time there, Chelsea received her certification as a Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) through the Brain Injury Association of America. While working on her Master’s degree in Social Work, Chelsea worked at Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital with adults who were recovering from various neurological disorders/traumas, as well as worked to upkeep her certification on an annual basis. Chelsea began working with the Collaborative Care Team at Center for Life Management in 2019 and serves adults with disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs; as well as still volunteering with, and occasionally running, therapeutic groups at Krempels Center. Chelsea advocates on the state level to increase service delivery for those living with mental health concerns and acquired brain injury. Chelsea had the opportunity to receive training to provide a specialized trauma therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and finished training in September 2021 and continues to receive ongoing consultation. Chelsea has been providing her dual-specialized services to clients of the Collaborative Care team since completing her training. Chelsea received her LICSW in January 2023 and continues to passionately serve individuals with dual-diagnoses, as well as providing psychoeducation and support to caregivers and clinical interns.

Jacob LaBrack has lived in Seacoast, NH his whole life. He is an avid motorcycle enthusiast and overall family man. He enjoys spending time with his brother, mother, and those closest to him, but most importantly his (almost) 4 yr. old son, Jameson. Jacob is a lover of pets and listening to music of all genres, at all volumes! He is an exceptionally hard worker, including starting his own business in March of 2022 and has found great success in doing so. He has been connected with Center for Life Management (CLM) for his own recovery journey with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental health.