BRAIN Center Memphis
About Us
BRAIN Center Memphis is a transdisciplinary clinical and research collaborative with the aim of advancing evidence-based practice and policy through neuroscience-informed interventions. Through generous funding from the Memphis Research Consortium, BRAIN Center Memphis (Building Resilience across Ages through Integrative Neuroscience) was founded in 2017 by Dr. Eraina Schauss and colleagues from the departments of Counseling, Educational Psychology & Research, Public Health, Criminology & Criminal Justice, with the aim of advancing mental health treatment, training, research and policy through evidence-based practice and advocacy. Since that time, the BRAIN Center Memphis team has provided mental health services to over 3,000 children and families in the Memphis metropolitan region, established a new standard of mental healthcare in hospitals for pediatric trauma patients, trained a labor force in hospital-based mental health services, published ground-breaking research in the field of pediatric trauma, and has been awarded 11 extramural grants totaling $2.4 million dollars.
Vision
Our overarching goal is to develop and implement a new standard of care in the pediatric trauma & integrative behavioral health programs across the US healthcare system.
Mission
To provide a comprehensive & holistic approach to pediatric patients dealing with traumatic mental and physical distress by providing a program that encompasses training, education & research that can be implemented within a healthcare systems. We provide the tools necessary to incorporate this new standard of care within a hospital setting and help build the necessary infrastructure for an integrated behavioral health program.
TESTIMONIALS
What They Say About Us
“My past year as a Trauma Mental Health Counseling Intern with the BRAIN Center team at Le Bonheur has been an extremely rewarding experience that I am grateful for every day. I have gained extensive and valuable hands-on experience, obtained multiple evidence-based counseling certifications, and had the opportunity to work with a wide range of populations. This experience has not only introduced me to patients, families, coworkers, and a supervisor that will have a special place in my heart forever; it has also ignited my confidence in myself as a therapist and the assistance that I am able to provide to those needing support.”
Olivia Vires
“Serving as the Clinical Director of Trauma Counseling has been the most fulfilling role in my career as a mental health professional. As a supervisor, I love seeing the joy and excitement on the students’ faces after a patient and family responds well to a new clinical technique they used. As a clinician, one of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the opportunity to offer a sense of safety and comfort to children and families during their most vulnerable moments while facing serious health challenges and injuries.”
Dr. Kiersten Hawes
“The BRAIN Center at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has provided an exceptional practical learning experience for mental health interns. I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of medical professionals and collaborate with them to execute the best care for each patient. I am so thankful to be working in a place that is talented and caring!”
Becky Davis
“My time as a clinical intern in this program has been a dream come true! The hospital offers a challenging and fast-paced environment with front line exposure and an incredible blend of traditional and non-traditional counseling experiences. After just a few short months, I feel like legitimate mental health professional capable of providing meaningful and effective care.”
Brian Ahern
“As a counselor in training, the BRAIN Center has been such an awesome place to work! Everyday is different, and I love that we get to work with such a diverse clientele. The support and supervision for interns is also amazing. It really feels like you are part of a team, and everyday you get to do something meaningful with others who care just as much as you do.”
Caitlin Williams
