Our expertise and specialization distinguishes Restore Neurobehavioral Center from other post-acute rehabilitation providers.  With exclusive focus on the treatment of the survivor of brain injury with behavioral problems since 1991, our staff represent over 100 cumulative years of clinical experience in this specialized area of neuro-rehabilitation.  Our team of licensed therapists, nurses, case managers, and neurobehavioral counselor staff members work closely together and consistently communicate for the benefit of each individual client. 

Meet our Medical Director, Clinical Pharmacologist, & Neuropsychologist:

Alan M. Harben, M.D., Ph. D. has served as Medical Director and Attending Physician at Restore Neurobehavioral Center since 2000.  Dr. Harben is a graduate of Medical College of Georgia and holds a doctorate from Georgia Tech in Biomechanics.  Board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation since 1988, Dr. Harben served as Director of Emory School of Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Injury Programs for 13 years before entering private practice and joining Restore Neurobehavioral Center.   Research interests include the areas of neuro-rehabilitation and biomechanics.  Neuro-rehabilitation research interests involve use of neurostimulants, mood stabilizers, and memory enhancing agents in brain injury.  In the area of biomechanics, he has developed an electromyographic mechanical model to estimate stiffness of individual spastic muscles for possible surgical intervention.  Dr. Harben frequently presents to professionals in the medical and rehabilitation community at state, regional, national, and international seminars.  Dr. Harben also serves as Medical Director for the acute rehabilitation unit at North Fulton Regional Hospital, Alpharetta, Georgia, and maintains a private practice in Roswell, Georgia.  He has served on the Board of Directors of the Brain Injury Resource Foundation (GA) and the Advisory Committee of the Brain Injury & Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund (GA).

Sara Grimsley Augustin, Pharm. D., BCPP has served as Clinical Pharmacy Consultant at Restore Neurobehavioral Center since 1992.  Board Certified in Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP) since 1997, she has researched, published, and taught in the areas of pharmacotherapy of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, sleep disorders, and addiction.  Dr. Augustin previously held a tenured Assistant Professor position at Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, and now serves as clinical pharmacist for the Dekalb Regional Crisis Center of the Dekalb Community Service Board in Decatur, GA. As Clinical Pharmacy Consultant at Restore Neurobehavioral Center, she meets with and is consultant to the Medical Director at least weekly to promote the safety and efficacy of medication regimens for Restore clients.  Medication trials are reviewed and adjusted to maximize cognitive and behavioral benefits while minimizing adverse effects and possible drug-drug interactions.

John R. Sass, Ph. D., has served as consulting neuropsychologist for Restore Neurobehavioral Center since 1995. He holds a doctorate from Georgia State University with specialization in neuropsychology. He has been actively involved in the brain injury community having served as a board member of the Brain Injury Association of Georgia. He has conducted numerous educational and in-service training seminars in the area of brain injury and rehabilitation. He served on a select committee of experts to develop the official brochure on mild TBI for the Centers for Disease Control. He also maintains a private practice in Decatur, GA at the Center for Cognitive Rehabilitation of Georgia. Dr. Sass believes in the need for evidence-based treatment outcomes in neuropsychological rehabilitation as well as an emphasis on brain injury prevention through continuing education. As consulting neuropsychologist at Restore Neurobehavioral Center, he evaluates cognitive strengths and deficits using a series of verbal, written, and computerized assessments. Dr. Sass recommends the best therapeutic course to follow and optimize functional outcome and cognitive recovery. He also provides individual, group, and family counseling to promote education and adjustment to injury.

Our medical and professional staff… Medical Services routinely involve physiatry, neuropsychology and clinical pharmacology.  Specialty consults are available. Clinical Pharmacology is consultant to and meets with the Medical Director and Rehabilitation team at least weekly to review any medication trials to promote maximum cognitive performance, behavioral response, and monitor for avoidance of adverse drug interactions and/or side effects. This input enables true team collaboration and learning opportunities for all participants including family members and external case managers. Neuropsychologist evaluates cognitive strengths and deficits using a series of verbal and written screening and test tools and recommends the best therapeutic course to follow to optimize functional and cognitive recovery. He also provides behavioral analysis, cognitive retraining, adjustment counseling for client, and family education/counseling. Licensed Rehabilitation Therapies include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Vocational Instructor, and Certified Alcohol Drug Addiction Counselor.  Dietary consults are available.  Therapeutic recreational activities are incorporated as group activities as well as specific individual accommodations.  Nursing Services are onsite 7 days a week at the Post Acute Rehabilitation Program.  Nursing assessment is available as needed to our Supported Living Programs. Life Skills Trainers/Neurobehavioral Aides provide 24 hour-7 days per week supervision in all programs of our continuum of care.  Our NBCs (neurobehavioral counselors) provide assistance and coaching in activities of daily living, reinforce compensatory strategies, and practice skills during non-therapy hours. Case Manager/Discharge Planners coordinate each client’s treatment with payers, treatment team and family members to ensure effective, efficient outcomes.