Sarah Mireles, LPCC, CLC is a therapist and the founder of Sarah Mireles Therapy. She is a neurodivergent professional with over 10 years of experience helping neurodivergent teens and their families. Her clinical experience spans intensive hospital, residential, and outpatient settings. She specializes in working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, OCD, autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence. Central to her work is the belief that if the home environment isn't built for neurodivergent functioning, progress rarely lasts, which is why she created a parent training program to teach families the skills they need to support long-term change.

In this episode of the Concussion Coach podcast, host Bethany Lewis and therapist Sarah Mireles discuss the significant overlap between post-concussion syndrome and neurodivergence. Sarah explains that concussions can either create or exacerbate symptoms like emotional dysregulation, executive dysfunction, anxiety, and rigidity. The conversation focuses on how parents and caregivers can create a supportive home environment to foster recovery.

Sarah introduces four core principles for parents:

1. Emotional Regulation: Learning foundational skills to manage one's own emotions and model calm, regulated behavior.

2. Radical Openness: Being open to new experiences, vulnerability, and feedback to help teens step outside their comfort zones.

3. Mental Flexibility: Pivoting and improvising when plans change or a teen is struggling, rather than adhering to rigid expectations.

4. Healthy Relationships: Prioritizing connection and teaching communication skills to help teens maintain at least one healthy relationship.

The episode emphasizes that symptom relief is temporary, but sustainable change comes from building foundational skills in both the teen and the family. Sarah provides practical tips like using check-ins, and utilizing self-regulation techniques (e.g., self-compassion, breathing) before difficult conversations.

Resources Mentioned:

• Websites:

• • Sarah Mireles Therapy (Individual Therapy for CA residents): www.sarahmirelestherapy.com

  • Parent Training Program Website: www.parentsofneurodiverseteens.com

• Guest's Social Media & Podcast:

• • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmirelestherapy/

  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahMirelesTherapy/shorts

  • Podcast: Spotify Link

• Contact Email: sarah@sarahmirelestherapy.com

  
  

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

• Free Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation

Dylan Taylor is a former rugby player whose career was abruptly ended by a concussion in 2020. He has since lived with persistent symptoms for over six years, traveling the world to consult specialists and researching effective treatment for post-concussion syndrome. Now, he is the creator of Tackling Concussion, a documentary dedicated to raising public awareness about effective concussion treatment and management to protect contact sports and help others avoid his long, arduous path.

In this episode, host Bethany Lewis (neurological occupational therapist and life coach) speaks with Dylan Taylor about his six-year journey with persistent concussion symptoms following a rugby injury. Dylan shares his experience of navigating the healthcare system, his initial setbacks, and his eventual understanding that concussion recovery requires a holistic approach to be effective. He discusses the importance of finding your “threshold,” tackling the injury’s root causes step-by-step, and the mindset needed to keep moving forward. The conversation highlights his work on the Tackling Concussion documentary and his mission to provide hope by showing that recovery is possible.

Resources Mentioned:

• Email: taylordjt@outlook.com

• Instagram: @tackling_concussion

• Note: The guest also referenced clinics like Cognitive FX and a general approach to holistic recovery involving vision/vestibular therapy, neck rehabilitation, nutrition, and nervous system regulation.

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

• Free Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation

Andy Beltz is a highly experienced physical therapist and vestibular rehabilitation specialist based in Canton, Ohio—home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With over 26 years of clinical practice at Aultman Tusc Therapy, where he also serves as Assistant Manager, Andy has treated more than 20,000 patients struggling with dizziness, balance disorders, and post-concussion symptoms.

He is a nationally recognized expert in BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) , vestibular migraines, and PPPD (persistent postural-perceptual dizziness) . Andy is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Mount Union, a clinical instructor for over 30 PT students, and has taught more than 60 continuing education courses on vestibular rehabilitation to healthcare providers nationwide. His mission is to help patients find the root cause of their dizziness and regain control of their lives.

In this episode of the Concussion Coach Podcast, host Bethany Lewis (neurological OT and certified life coach) and Andy Beltz had a deep-dive conversation into one of the most common and distressing symptoms after concussion: dizziness.

Andy breaks down the science behind post-concussion dizziness in an easy-to-understand way, covering:

• Why “dizzy” means different things to different people – and why triggers and timing matter more than the description.

• The 3 major vestibular syndromes after head injury: acute, triggered episodic, and spontaneous episodic.

• BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) – the most common cause of dizziness after concussion, caused by loose calcium crystals in the inner ear.

• Vestibular migraines – how they can cause spinning episodes even without a headache.

• PPPD (persistent postural-perceptual dizziness) – the “vicious cycle” where the brain becomes overly reliant on vision and neck input, leading to chronic imbalance and anxiety.

• Why nervous system health and sleep are critical for recovery—and why “trying softer” is often more effective than pushing harder.

• The role of vestibular therapy, Tai Chi, and nervous system training in treating dizziness, not just medication.

Whether you're a concussion patient, a caregiver, or a healthcare provider, this episode offers hope, clarity, and actionable insights for managing dizziness after head injury.

Resources Mentioned

• Andy’s Blog (Fight Dizziness): fightdizziness.blogspot.com

• YouTube Channel (The Dizzy Busy PT): youtube.com/@thedizzybusypt

• LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/andy-beltz-spinnomore

• Clinic Contact (Aultman Tusc Therapy): 330-363-6215

• Work Email: andy.beltz@altman.com

  
  

Connect with Bethany:

• Website: https://theconcussioncoach.com/

• Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" on the website

• Free Consultation: https://theconcussioncoach.com/free-consultation