Improving Cognitive Function after Brain Injury (with Dr. Ryan Harvey)

Struggling with cognitive function after a brain injury can make everyday life feel exhausting, leaving you overwhelmed by tasks that used to be automatic. When your brain is constantly forced to expend energy just to balance, track visually, or coordinate movement, it can be hard to keep up. Higher-level thinking like focus, working memory, and following conversations can quickly break down, leading to an experience of frustration. Today, we are diving into what cognitive function truly is, the importance of rebuilding foundational neurological systems, and how targeted, playful strategies can help retrain your brain.

In this episode, host Cristabelle Braden interviews Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center to break down how to improve cognitive function after brain injury. Listen to discover practical ways to step down complex tasks, the benefits of dual-tasking and gamifying your cognitive rehab, and why learning to "control the controllables" is essential for sustainable progress.

✅ *FREE ON-DEMAND COURSE & LIVE Q&A: Access now and go at your own pace - PLUS, ask Dr. Harvey your questions at the Q&A Webinar on November 17. Sign up here: http://hopesurvives.org/cognitive-series

🧠 In this episode:

• Understanding cognition as a multi-system network.
• Why people are commonly frustrated after a brain injury in doing “normal” daily tasks.
• Addressing reduced processing speed, conversational fatigue, and working memory challenges.
• Why rehabilitation requires proper sequencing to establish basic motor and visual baselines before tackling complex tasks.
• How gamifying cognitive exercises and incorporating motor-cognitive dual-tasking builds real-world stamina.
• Cultivating resilience by focusing on what remains within your control.

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠hi@hopesurvives.org⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-------

Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ thefnc.com⁠⁠

0:00 Intro

1:47 Welcome with Cristabelle

6:39 Introducing Dr. Ryan Harvey

9:45 Starting Steps if Overwhelmed

16:25 Defining Cognitive Function

22:45 Identifying Your Needs

25:00 Things that Can Help

33:26 Words of Hope

-------

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast