Responsibilities
Dr. Braden Brown serves as Director of Mental Health for BYU Athletics and Director of Mental Performance for BYU Football. A licensed marriage and family therapist and former BYU football player, Dr. Brown brings clinical expertise and firsthand experience in collegiate and professional athletics to his work.
Dr. Brown helps student-athletes navigate the demands of sport, school, relationships, and life. He provides individual counseling, mental performance consultation, and team education, while working with coaches and staff to support student-athlete well-being and development.
His areas of focus include:
- Mental health: Anxiety, depression, stress, ADHD, body image concerns, adjustment challenges, and the emotional impact of injury and recovery.
- Relationships: Communication, conflict resolution, and relationships with teammates, coaches, family members, and significant others.
- Mental performance: Confidence, focus, emotion regulation, pre-performance routines, visualization and imagery, goal setting, mindfulness, and performing under pressure.
- Transitions and adversity: Navigating changes in roles, playing time, injury, setbacks, and the transition out of competitive sport.
Dr. Brown’s approach emphasizes helping student-athletes build practical skills, strengthen relationships, and develop a sense of identity and purpose that extends beyond athletic performance.
Years at BYU
- 2023-Present
Education
- B.S.—Exercise & Wellness (BYU, 2012)
- M.A.—Marriage & Family Therapy (Utah State University, 2016)
- Ph.D.—Medical Family Therapy (East Carolina University, 2019)
Prior to BYU
- Dr. Brown spent four years as Director of Mental Performance and Counseling Services for IUPUI Athletics in Indianapolis, IN. He provided counseling and mental performance services to student-athletes and worked with coaches across all 18 NCAA Division I men’s and women’s teams.
Personal
- Played tight end and offensive tackle for BYU Football from 2008–2012.
- Four-year letterman who appeared in all 52 games of his collegiate career, including 41 starts at offensive tackle.
- Invited to the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine.
- Signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2013 before retiring from professional football due to injury a year later.
A native of Salt Lake City, Dr. Brown and his wife, Rachel, have three children. He enjoys golf, weightlifting, musicals, watching sports, hiking, and making memories with his family.
His greatest professional passion is helping student-athletes navigate life’s challenges and pursue their greatest potential in sport and beyond.