Thanks to a new partnership, the Brain Performance Institute at the Center for BrainHealth is helping military spouses and caregivers improve their minds.   

Eric Bennett

Eric Bennett

The institute will be expanding its Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training (SMART) program, providing it for free to spouses and caregivers beginning in September at the Center for BrainHealth in Dallas, in an effort made possible by support from the La Quinta Inns and Suites hotel chain.

The brain training program, presented by the institute’s Warrior Training Team and clinical staff, has helped veterans, active military personnel and middle school students improve their brain performance. The program, based on more than 30 years of neuroscience research, provides individuals with the tools to become strategic learners, deeper-level thinkers and innovative problem solvers.

“By providing strategies that maximize brain performance, minimize stress and improve productivity, our mission is to directly help the entire family network of our military heroes have healthier brains, said Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder and chief director of the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas.

We are dedicated to reaching as many of the estimated 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States to ensure they thrive with the evolving needs of their families.” 

Our mobile training team will provide the SMART program in Dallas and in key locations across the country to this important, influential and often hidden group of heroes — military spouses and caregivers.

Eric Bennett,
executive director of the Brain Performance Institute

Recent research shows that the program not only induces physical brain change and enhanced cognitive performance, but also has life-changing benefits.

“Many caregivers are trying to juggle full-time jobs with full-time caregiving,” said Eric Bennett, executive director of the Brain Performance Institute.

“We have reached more than 27,000 people across the country through the SMART program. Our mobile training team will provide the SMART program in Dallas and in key locations across the country to this important, influential and often hidden group of heroes — military spouses and caregivers.”

The program will initially consist of two scheduled training sessions this year. The first training will convene weekly from Sept. 9 to Sept. 30 at the Center for BrainHealth.

“We are honored to partner with the Brain Performance Institute to provide this truly innovative program,” said Derek Blake, La Quinta’s vice president for marketing and military programs.

For more information about enrolling in the SMART program, email Cheryl Endres at cheryl.endres@utdallas.edu.