Individuals with neurological injuries and illnesses may struggle to process emotions in facial expressions, sarcasm, or jokes, which can influence their social interactions at home, at work, and in relationships. Through our research, we aim to better understand these challenges and evaluate training methods to assist them in recognizing emotions.
Jean Lengenfelder, PhD, directs the Cognitive and Affective Neuropsychology Laboratory within Kessler Foundation's Center for Traumatic Brain Injury, where she is associate director. Current studies focus on emotional processing, social cognition, mindfulness meditation, and caregiver resilience. The main goal of the Lab’s emotional processing research is to develop treatments that enhance emotional awareness and improve facial emotion recognition in individuals with traumatic brain injury, pediatric TBI, and multiple sclerosis. Researchers are also adapting mindfulness intervention techniques to help individuals with TBI better control their attention and improve psychological well-being, while also reducing depression and anxiety.
National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research
New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research
Laboratory Team
