Jamie Arber: Connecticut Brain Injury Expert
Brain Injury Clinical Expertise, Rehabilitation, Advocacy & Mental Health
Jamie Arber, MA, LPC, CBIS-T, CAGCS, is a Connecticut Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer, brain injury rehabilitation leader, and traumatic brain injury survivor whose professional career has focused on supporting individuals living with acquired and traumatic brain injury.
Since entering the brain injury rehabilitation field in 2010, Jamie has worked at the intersection of brain injury, mental health, disability, rehabilitation, community integration, vocational development, and trauma-informed care. He currently serves as Executive Director of The Supported Living Group, where his work has included the development and oversight of community-based ABI/TBI rehabilitation and support services throughout Connecticut.
Through his clinical practice at Neurospark Counseling, Jamie brings this extensive brain injury experience into psychotherapy, providing counseling for individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, adjustment to disability, relationship challenges, identity changes, emotional regulation, and the psychological consequences of brain injury.
His media appearances provide an opportunity to discuss the realities of life after brain injury from multiple perspectives: as a clinician, rehabilitation professional, organizational leader, advocate, and person with lived experience of TBI.
A Connecticut Voice on Brain Injury
Brain injury is often discussed in terms of the initial injury and acute medical rehabilitation. Jamie's work focuses heavily on what happens afterward.
For many survivors, the most difficult challenges emerge months or years after the injury: returning to employment, rebuilding relationships, managing emotional changes, understanding cognitive differences, adapting to loss of independence, navigating disability services, and rebuilding a sense of identity and purpose.
Jamie brings more than 15 years of experience working with these long-term realities.
His professional experience includes community-based brain injury rehabilitation, supported living, vocational programming, community integration, disability services, behavioral health, clinical counseling, and collaboration with families, caregivers, rehabilitation professionals, and Connecticut state systems.
His perspective is particularly informed by the Connecticut ABI Waiver system and the practical challenges faced by individuals and families attempting to obtain and maintain appropriate long-term community supports.
Featured Podcast & Media Appearances
Brain Injury, Trauma & Clinical Mental Health
Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast
When Brain Injury Changes Who You Are: Grief, Identity & Finding Purpose Again
Jamie discusses the psychological experience of living with brain injury, including grief, changes in identity, loss of purpose, relationships, social isolation, and the process of rebuilding a meaningful life after neurological injury.
The conversation also explores the importance of mental health treatment and trauma-informed care for individuals whose recovery extends well beyond traditional rehabilitation.
F*** It, I Have a Brain Injury
Meaningful Engagement in a Connecticut ABI Waiver Program: Jamie Arber
Jamie discusses meaningful engagement following brain injury, the Connecticut ABI Waiver, community-based rehabilitation, and the importance of creating opportunities for individuals to develop purpose, connection, and independence.
The conversation also draws upon Jamie's own lived experience as a brain injury survivor and his professional experience developing community-based services.
Rupture: The World of BestGuessistan
Brain Injury Recovery Is Broken: Dr. Jamie Arber on Trauma, Identity & System Failure
In this conversation, Jamie explores the intersection of brain injury, trauma, identity, mental health, and the systemic challenges that can affect long-term recovery.
Topics include the experience of living with an invisible disability, the psychological consequences of brain injury, trauma treatment, EMDR, changes in identity, employment, independence, and the gaps that can exist between acute rehabilitation and long-term community support.
Universally Unique with Dr. Lori Noto, Ph.D.
Interview with Jamie Arber
Jamie discusses acquired brain injury, the diversity of experiences among individuals living with ABI, and the importance of individualized support.
The conversation highlights why brain injury rehabilitation cannot be reduced to a single model of recovery and why effective services must consider the individual's cognitive, emotional, social, vocational, and environmental needs.
Brain Injury Advocacy & Family Support
The Real Lives of TBI Wives
Life After Brain Injury: Support, Advocacy, and Resources for Families
Jamie discusses the realities families encounter after traumatic brain injury, including long-term support needs, caregiver challenges, advocacy, community-based services, and navigating the Connecticut ABI Waiver system.
The conversation reflects Jamie's experience working with survivors and families while also addressing the broader systems that influence access to long-term brain injury rehabilitation.
Healthcare & Community-Based Leadership
Home Care Strategy Lab
Scaling a Specialized Home Care Model Leveraging Medicaid Waivers
Jamie discusses the development of specialized community-based services, Medicaid waiver programs, organizational growth, and the challenges of building sustainable services for individuals with complex healthcare and disability needs.
The conversation provides insight into the operational realities of leading a specialized brain injury and disability services organization while maintaining a focus on person-centered care.
Feeney Talks With Friends
Episode 147: Feeney Talks with Jamie Arber
Jamie discusses his professional journey in brain injury rehabilitation, leadership at The Supported Living Group, clinical counseling, disability services, and his perspective as both a brain injury professional and survivor.
The conversation provides a broader look at Jamie's career and the experiences that shaped his approach to brain injury rehabilitation and community-based support.
Beyond the Podcast: Brain Injury Advocacy & Education
Jamie also writes and speaks publicly about issues affecting people living with acquired and traumatic brain injury in Connecticut.
His professional writing has addressed topics including:
Connecticut ABI Waiver services and access
Long-term brain injury rehabilitation
Mental health after traumatic brain injury
Trauma-informed brain injury care
Brain injury and employment
Brain injury and relationships
Housing and community integration
Invisible disability
Family and caregiver support
Neurodiversity and brain injury
Brain injury and vocational rehabilitation
Disability rights and advocacy
Brain injury and public policy
Meaningful engagement following brain injury
His professional writing and public advocacy reflect a broader commitment to improving the way Connecticut understands and supports people living with brain injury.
Brain Injury, Mental Health & the Person Behind the Injury
One of Jamie's central clinical beliefs is that brain injury should never become the entirety of a person's identity.
A survivor may have cognitive limitations, emotional changes, physical disabilities, or challenges with executive functioning. But those characteristics exist within a larger person who has relationships, ambitions, strengths, interests, values, history, and a desire for meaningful participation in life.
This perspective informs both Jamie's rehabilitation leadership and his clinical counseling practice.
At Neurospark Counseling, Jamie works with individuals experiencing the psychological consequences of brain injury, including:
Trauma and PTSD-related symptoms
Anxiety and depression
Grief and loss
Adjustment to disability
Changes in identity
Emotional regulation difficulties
Relationship and family stress
Social isolation
Reduced confidence and self-esteem
Employment and vocational concerns
Life transitions following rehabilitation
His clinical approach incorporates person-centered counseling, trauma-informed care, EMDR training, and an understanding of the cognitive and emotional considerations that can accompany brain injury.
Lived Experience of Traumatic Brain Injury
Jamie is not only a professional working in the brain injury field. He is also a survivor of traumatic brain injury.
His own experience with TBI has provided an additional perspective on the uncertainty, frustration, identity changes, and challenges that can accompany recovery.
That lived experience does not replace clinical training or professional expertise. Instead, it complements more than 15 years of professional work in brain injury rehabilitation and provides an additional understanding of why survivors need to be seen as whole people rather than defined by their injury.
A Career Dedicated to Brain Injury Rehabilitation in Connecticut
Jamie began working in the brain injury rehabilitation field in 2010 and has spent his career developing and leading services intended to help individuals with neurological and cognitive disabilities live more independently within their communities.
He joined The Supported Living Group in 2017 and progressed from Director of Services to Executive Director. His work has included community-based ABI/TBI rehabilitation, supported living, vocational services, community integration, disability services, and organizational leadership.
Jamie holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and a master's degree in Community Psychology. He is a Connecticut Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer, Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist, and has advanced training in EMDR and trauma-informed clinical approaches. His professional credentials and training are publicly documented through his professional profile.
This combination of clinical counseling, brain injury rehabilitation, executive leadership, disability advocacy, vocational expertise, and lived experience informs Jamie's approach to helping individuals and families navigate life after brain injury.
Looking for a Connecticut Brain Injury Expert?
Jamie Arber is available for conversations concerning:
Brain Injury & Rehabilitation
Traumatic brain injury
Acquired brain injury
Concussion and mild TBI
Long-term brain injury recovery
Community-based rehabilitation
Brain injury and employment
Clinical & Mental Health
Trauma after brain injury
EMDR and brain injury
Anxiety and depression following TBI
Grief and adjustment
Identity after brain injury
Emotional regulation
Relationships and family systems
Connecticut Brain Injury Services
Connecticut ABI Waiver
Community-based brain injury supports
Disability services
Vocational rehabilitation
Family and caregiver support
Brain injury advocacy and policy
Professional & Public Discussion
Brain injury rehabilitation
Brain injury mental health
Disability and neurodiversity
Community-based healthcare
Brain injury policy
Long-term support after TBI
For media interviews, podcasts, professional presentations, or conversations concerning brain injury, rehabilitation, trauma, disability, and mental health, Jamie brings a perspective grounded in clinical practice, more than 15 years of brain injury rehabilitation experience, organizational leadership, advocacy, and lived experience.
Connect With Jamie Arber
If you are a journalist, podcast host, healthcare professional, rehabilitation provider, or organization interested in discussing brain injury, trauma, rehabilitation, or disability, you can connect with Jamie through Neurospark Counseling.
Jamie Arber, MA, LPC, CBIS-T, CAGCS
Connecticut Licensed Professional Counselor
Brain Injury & Disability-Associated Trauma Specialist
Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer
Neurospark Counseling
[Contact Jamie / Request a Consultation]
Frequently Discussed Topics
Connecticut Brain Injury • Traumatic Brain Injury • Acquired Brain Injury • TBI Rehabilitation • ABI Waiver • Brain Injury Counseling • Brain Injury Mental Health • Trauma After TBI • EMDR and Brain Injury • Brain Injury Recovery • Brain Injury Advocacy • Disability Services • Neurodiversity • Vocational Rehabilitation • Community-Based Rehabilitation • Brain Injury and Employment • Brain Injury and Relationships