About the Presentation:
Following a brain injury (BI), patients face a complex array of sequelae that profoundly impact emotional well-being. To optimize post-injury care, clinicians must identify and target modifiable risk factors that influence long-term mental health. This presentation highlights one critical, yet frequently overlooked factor: alexithymia. We will unpack the clinical characteristics of alexithymia and explore its direct impact on resilience and emotional functioning after BI. Finally, attendees will learn practical methods for assessment and discover an evidence-based training program designed to rebuild emotional self-awareness, equipping clinicians with actionable strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the clinical characteristics and presentation of alexithymia in brain injury population and explain the link between emotional self-awareness, resilience, and long-term mental health outcomes.
2. Select appropriate clinical assessment tools to evaluate alexithymia and outline how to access them.
3. Describe the key components of an evidence-based emotional self-awareness training program and identify resources to access the intervention.

About the Presenter:

Dawn Neumann, PhD, FACRM

Dr. Dawn Neumann is a Research Scientist and Manager of Brain Injury Research at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. She is also a Professor at Hackensack School of Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She has a Master’s degree in Cognitive Psychology and a doctorate in Rehabilitation Science. Her research aims to advance the understanding and treatment of social cognition and emotion regulation deficits after brain injury. She serves on the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation editorial review board and the Board of Directors for the North American Brain Injury Society.