Author: Brittany Stratton

Brittany is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Brain Injury Services. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a Bachelor of Social Work Degree in 2010 and a Master of Social Work Degree in 2012.She has experience in providing mental health therapy, intensive care coordination, crisis intervention, and clinical case management services in the community and school-based behavioral health programs. Brittany became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2019.

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The Mental Health Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury in the African American Community

Posted on by Brittany Stratton

In recognition of Black History Month

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects millions of Americans each year, but its emotional and psychological impact is often overlooked — especially within the African American community. Research shows that TBI significantly increases the likelihood of developing mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cognitive difficulties. These conditions can disrupt daily life, relationships, and long‑term recovery.

💡 What the Research Shows

A recent large‑scale cohort study found that Black TBI survivors are more likely than White survivors to be diagnosed with several neuropsychiatric conditions, including psychotic disorders, PTSD, substance use disorders, and headache disorders. These disparities highlight how social and structural factors — such as access to care, socioeconomic stressors, and systemic inequities — shape mental health outcomes after a brain injury.

The CDC also reports that racial and ethnic minority groups are less likely to receive follow‑up care and rehabilitation after a TBI, and often experience poorer psychosocial and functional outcomes compared to White individuals. Limited access to specialized care can worsen emotional symptoms and delay recovery.

✊ Why This Matters

For many African American survivors, the emotional effects of TBI occur alongside broader challenges:

•             Stigma around mental health

•             Mistrust of medical systems due to historical and ongoing inequities

•             Underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of mental health conditions

•             Financial and insurance barriers

•             Limited access to culturally competent providers

These factors can make it harder to recognize symptoms early or seek support, even when the need is significant.

🌱 Supporting Healing

Improving mental health outcomes for African American TBI survivors requires:

•             Culturally informed care that recognizes lived experiences

•             Community‑based education to reduce stigma

•             Stronger access to rehabilitation and mental health services

•             Trusted support networks, including family, faith communities, and peer groups

By raising awareness and advocating for equitable care, we honor Black History Month with action that supports healing, dignity, and long‑term well‑being.

Resources



Brittany Stratton, LCW 
Mental Health Counseling Department

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Summer Safety & Wellness Tips

Posted on by Brittany Stratton

Brain Injury Services is here to help you embrace the warmth while protecting your well-being as summer unfolds. Whether you’re navigating recovery from a traumatic brain injury or supporting someone who is, staying hydrated and safe in the heat is key to healing and comfort.

And here’s something just as important: your physical and emotional well-being are closely connected. When our bodies feel drained—whether from heat, dehydration, or overstimulation—our ability to stay regulated emotionally and mentally becomes harder. So, caring for your physical self isn’t just about staying cool; it’s also about staying grounded.

Hydration Helps Healing

  • Carry a water bottle and sip throughout the day—even indoors.
  • Avoid sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic drinks that contribute to dehydration.
  • Try infusing water with orange slices, mint, or cucumber for added refreshment.

Stay Cool, Stay Calm

  • Limit outdoor activities to morning or evening hours to avoid peak heat.
  • Wear light, breathable clothing and a wide-brimmed hat when outside.
  • Watch for signs of heat exhaustion—headache, nausea, confusion—and rest immediately if needed.

Ease Sensory Overload

  • Use sunglasses and noise-reducing headphones to minimize overstimulation.
  • Take regular quiet breaks, even during social events or family outings.
  • Caregivers, tune into signs of fatigue or distress and offer calming spaces.

Keep It Simple

  • Plan one activity per day and build in downtime.
  • Maintain familiar routines to support emotional stability.
  • Adjust plans if energy is low; recovery always comes first.

You’re Not Alone

  • Join a support group or community gathering for connection and encouragement.
  • Even brief social check-ins can lift spirits and reduce feelings of isolation.
  • Caregivers: Remember to check in with yourselves—your well-being matters, too.

Why Physical Health Supports Emotional Recovery

Taking care of your physical needs—like rest, hydration, and sensory regulation—can help you stay emotionally steady. Fatigue and discomfort can amplify anxiety, irritability, or feelings of overwhelm. Your brain, body, and emotional systems work as a team, especially during recovery.

Learn More

We at Brain Injury Services wish you a season of strength, serenity, and sunshine.

Brittany Stratton, LCSW
Mental Health Counseling Department

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Resilience

Posted on by Brittany Stratton

Resilience. Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from adversity, trauma, or significant stress. It involves mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility, allowing individuals to navigate challenges and emerge stronger. Building resilience can help you manage stress and bounce back from difficult situations.

Key aspects of resilience include:

  • Adaptability: Resilient people can adjust their thoughts and behaviors to meet new challenges.
  • Emotional Regulation: They manage their emotions effectively, even in stressful situations.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: They approach problems rationally and seek practical solutions.
  • Social Support: Having a strong network of friends and family provides emotional support and resources.
  • Self-Compassion: Resilient individuals practice self-acceptance and self-care.

Resilience doesn’t mean avoiding stress or hardship; it’s about confronting difficulties head-on and using healthy coping strategies to manage them. Some resources and strategies for enhancing resilience: 

  • Mindfulness and Meditation: to help stay grounded and manage stress.
  • Physical Activity: to improve mood and reduce anxiety.
  • Social Connections: in addition to maintaining strong family and friend relationships, join support groups or community organizations to build a network.
  • Professional Help: Therapists and counselors can offer strategies tailored to an individual’s specific emotional/mental health needs.

Interested in learning more about developing resilience, explore the following resources:

  • “The Resilience Factor” by Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatté
  • “Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
  • “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth
  • “Rising Strong” by Brené Brown
  • “Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness” by Rick Hanson and Forrest

These books offer a mix of personal stories, research, and practical advice to help build resilience.

Brittany Stratton, LCSW
Mental Health Counseling Department

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Let’s Enjoy the Holidays

Posted on by Brittany Stratton

What if we allowed ourselves to enjoy the holidays this season instead of surviving them? Let’s enjoy the holidays this season by appreciating what we have, choosing to see the good around us, and being grateful for what is going well in our lives. We must slow down and embrace the present moment to appreciate what is.

A mindfulness activity to practice:

Notice What You Have

The best parts of our lives fade into the background and become invisible unless they’re taken from us. Become more aware today of the ordinary things you’re glad to have, such as the air you breathe, the clothes you wear, the home that shelters you, and the people you love. Acknowledge the everyday gifts that fill your life.


When slowing down and embracing the present, remember to be kind to yourself and accept yourself for who you are (human). Brene Brown has stated, “Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others.” This holiday season, be mindful of your commitments, review what’s on your plate, and do not be afraid to remove the things that do not add value or bring you joy. Remember, you don’t need a significant obligation to say “no” to others – your self-care is reason enough. Remind yourself that your needs are as important as anyone else’s.
If you need practice with slowing down and being in the present moment, try this mindfulness activity:


Notice the Season

Be on the lookout today for markers of the current season. Notice how the sky looks, the feel and smell of the air, plants, trees, and flowers, and the angle of the light. Perhaps the foods you’re eating are typical of the season, too. Use your awareness of the season to connect with the natural world.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

**Mindfulness activities are from The CBT Deck for Clients and Therapists by Seth J. Gillihan, PHD.**

Brittany Stratton, LCSW
Mental Health Counseling Department

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Connecting Brain Injury and Domestic Violence

Posted on by Brittany Stratton

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence and intimate partner violence are a common cause of traumatic brain injury. Potential causes of brain injury from domestic violence include, but are not limited to, being punched in the face or head, hit the head with an object, pushed against a wall or another hard surface, shaken violently, falling and hitting the head, strangled/choked. One injury can lead to another. Did you know that after one TBI, the risk for a 2nd is THREE times greater? After two TBIs, the risk is EIGHT times greater. Repeated mild TBIs occurring over an extended period (i.e., months, years) can result in cumulative neurological and cognitive deficits. Repeated mild TBIs occurring within a short time (i.e., hours, days, or weeks) can be catastrophic or fatal.

A chronic state of stress can slow down the healing process of the brain and add to other symptoms of mental health, which may become more noticeable. The risk of PTSD and major depression after a mild TBI is much greater, and post-concussive symptoms can last for months. This often creates significant problems for survivors as they attempt to gain or regain their independence after injury or even return to their everyday routines. Overlapping symptoms of TBI and PTSD include irritability, insomnia, cognitive deficits, depression, fatigue, and anxiety. A domestic violence survivor with a TBI may have a short attention span, show poor follow-through on tasks, have difficulty maintaining positive relationships with others, have behavior/impulse control issues, and/or appear more confused, inattentive, and fatigued than others.

Addressing TBI among survivors of domestic violence can help promote empowerment and independence, resulting in improved recovery outcomes. Increased awareness of the connection between brain injury and domestic violence will allow for targeted screening/assessments and evaluations, permit accommodations within intervention approaches, lead to appropriate referrals and better outcomes for the survivors, and help advocates and supporters navigate an individual’s impairments in cognitive, behavior, and executive functioning to optimize their well-being.

Brittany Stratton, LCSW
BIS Counseling Department

Reference:

  

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No Two Brain Injuries Are Alike

Posted on by Brittany Stratton

Our brains are very complex and made up of several different parts. For example, the brain can be broken down into two hemispheres: the right and left hemispheres. Each brain hemisphere comprises four different lobes – the Frontal Lobe, Temporal Lobe, Parietal Lobe, and Occipital Lobe. Each lobe of the brain has a very specific function. For example, the Occipital Lobe, located in the back of the brain, controls visual perception, visual processing, and reading (the perception and recognition of printed words). Whereas the Temporal lobe, located on the sides of the head near the temples, controls short-term memory, receptive language, language comprehension, musical awareness, selective attention, object categorization, locating objects, face recognition, and behavior (aggressive).

When the brain experiences trauma, depending on the type of injury suffered and the location of the brain impacted, notable changes can be observed in the individual. For example, some changes after Occipital Lobe damage may include vision defects, difficulty reading and writing, and poor visual information processing. Compared with some changes after Temporal Lobe damage – short-term memory loss, difficulty understanding spoken words, disturbance of selective attention, and increased aggressive behavior. The impact of brain injury can lead to a wide range of short- or long-term issues affecting cognitive, sensory, physical, emotional, and behavioral functioning.

Some individuals who’ve experienced significant head traumas may not even be aware they’ve had a brain injury. Brain injury can sometimes lead to or exacerbate mental health conditions. Possible social/emotional changes experienced after brain injury include difficulty controlling behaviors in social situations, poor self-esteem, poor awareness of self and others, difficulty monitoring and controlling anger, anxiety, temper, depression, impulsivity, and/or difficulty regulating emotion and energy level. It’s important to be aware that what may be presenting as a mood or anxiety disorder may be brain injury or a combination. That is why individualized, coordinated care is essential to post-brain injury, as no two brain injuries are alike.

Here are a couple of tips for moving through recovery:

  • Learn about common brain injury symptoms
  • Identify your own post-injury strengths and weaknesses
  • Recognize and accept your losses and grief
  • Celebrate accomplishments (no win is too small)
  • Ask for help; develop a professional team and get connected to a community

Brittany Stratton, LCSW
BIS Counseling Department