A covering for an architectural opening may include a brake assembly including a first housing, a clutch on which the first housing may be mounted, a sleeve, a second housing attached to the sleeve, and a spring element attached to the second housing. The brake assembly may permit relatively unrestricted rotation of the first housing in a first direction, and impart rotational resistance to rotation of the first housing in a second direction. A method for assembling a covering for an architectural opening may include coupling a clutch to a first housing, coupling the clutch to a sleeve, coupling a second housing to the sleeve, mounting the second housing over a hub, and positioning a torsion spring between the hub and the second housing. The brake assembly may be used to impart rotational resistance to extension of a shade member, such as to resist unintended extension of the shade member.