Brainworks has no followers yet. Be the first one to follow.
Dike Onuoha, B.S.W, R.S.W
Social Worker
Dike (pronounced Deekay) Onuoha comes to us with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor and a wealth of experience working with those with special challenges throughout Southwestern Ontario. He is also a Registered Social Worker. He has worked in the community dealing with mental health issues, with young offenders and people with developmental disabilities, and with children and teens in the community and within the school board settings. A Windsor resident, he will be covering the Windsor-Essex region.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/staff/social-workers/
Brainworks staff prides itself on providing innovative rehabilitation programming to address concerns such as chronic pain, stress, anger, deficient social skills and other behavioural issues. The addition of Occupational Therapy allows us to broaden the domains in which we can provide support to individuals with these and other challenges.
Our Occupational Therapy services include assessments, consultation and treatment. The types of assessments we provide include:
Form-1 Assessments
Assessment / Re-Assessment of Attendant Care Needs
Functional Home Assessment
Assessment / Re-Assessment of Homemaking and Housekeeping Needs
Environmental Home Safety and Accessibility Assessment
In-home Assessments
For more information about our Occupational Therapy services, or to request information about other services we provide, please contact:
Jennifer Scornaiencki, MSc(OT), OT Reg. (Ont.)
Occupational Therapist
Phone: (519) 657-1180, ext. 301
Email: jennifer.scornaiencki@brainworksrehab.com
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/occupational-therapy/
Understanding and Resolving Cultural Barriers: Rehabilitation within Arabic Speaking Communities As professionals in the rehabilitation industry, we increasingly have the opportunity to work with clients from many cultural backgrounds. Ethnic perspectives in many areas of life, such as injury, pain, mental health, disability and rehabilitation, are not always widely understood in Canada. This Breakfast Seminar will examine the multicultural barriers to essential rehabilitation and legal services faced by Arabic speaking clients. We will discuss what can be done to uncomplicate their experience and facilitate a better understanding and knowledge of cultural perspectives to enable us to provide more effective services to our clients. We will highlight both the difficulties and the successes that Arabic speaking clients experience as they strive to live a meaningful life post injury.
Jennifer Scornaiencki, MSc(OT), OT Reg. (Ont.) is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program and a member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO). She is also a member of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists (OSOT), the Ontario Brain Injury Association, the Canadian Pain Coalition, and is currently working toward becoming a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/occupational-therapy/
Stubborn Bedfellows: Sleep and Mental Health
By Arden McGregor, MA, C. Psych Assoc., CBIST &
Dennis Radman, HBSc, RRP, CBIST
“Comorbidity between medical and mental conditions is the rule rather than the exception” (Colby, 2011). From asthma to substance abuse, more than two-thirds of adults with mental disorders have medical conditions. Similarly, there are numerous mental illnesses that have robust comorbid relationships to sleep disorders. In fact, a significant proportion of mental disorders have sleep disturbance as a diagnostic criteria. The delicate relationship between mental and physical health and sleep has been known for quite some time. Hippocrates stated that sleeplessness is a sign of pain and suffering and may lead to mental illness, while sleeping during the day is an indication of illness.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/print-media/
WHILE TREATING MIND AND BODY, DON'T NEGLECT THE SOUL: INCORPORATING SPIRITUALITY INTO THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PAIN
Presented by:
Arden McGregor, MA, CPsychAssoc, CBIST;
Hristos (Chris) Papastamos, BRE, MA
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/
Sleep Issues Following an ABI Speaker: Dr. Sarah Vernon-ScotT
Working from a behavioural/cognitive behavioural perspective, our Contain Your Pain program is practical, time-limited and solution-focused. We target skill and strategy development, and empower our clients to realize their abilities and to minimize disability.
The Contain Your Pain program provides evidence-based interventions to individuals who are experiencing chronic disabling pain that impacts significantly on their daily life, resulting in a disruption of their functioning in their occupational, family, leisure, and social roles.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/pain-management/
Sleep Tight© Sleep as a Goal of Rehabilitation Rather than a Barrier Clients who have experienced an accident, trauma, brain injury, illness or loss often complain of disrupted sleep. Sleep disruption impacts all areas of life: cognitive, emotional and physical. Family, social, vocational and rehabilitation commitments are also negatively affected by poor sleep. Disrupted sleep is a risk factor for developing secondary illnesses and difficulties. It is critically important to understand how sleep disruption can be assessed and treated. Sleep patterns can appear to be a barrier to rehab; It is our aim, to reframe sleep as a goal of rehab.
Arden was recently featured in the fall 2010 edition of the Rehab Matters magazine.
The article traverses the journey Arden McGregor took from being inspired while being a swim instructor, to pursuing psychology at university to later opening and becoming the Executive Director of Brainworks.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/print-media/
Our own Arden McGregor wrote a follow up article in Rehab Matters about social networking and it's impact on the rehabilitation fieled: Social Media Matters, The newest player in Rehab
Great read.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/print-media/
Arden spoke about the high prevalence of sleep disorders and their impact on those living with brain injury.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/sleep-intervention/
Our own Arden McGregor wrote an article about social networking and it's impact on the rehabilitation fieled: The Changing Face(book) of Rehab!
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/print-media/
Brainworks and its rehabilitation problem solver Tami Nestor are committed to helping clients achieve the highest quality of life and independence in the community while minimizing the impact of disability. As rehabilitation consultant / case manager, Tami identifies appropriate providers and facilities that best serve clients who are living with the effects of brain injury, chronic pain, behavioural and other disorders in the Windsor are. 519-970-9259.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/print-media/
“Our clients‟ life, loved ones and goals
serve as our canvas. The paint is the abundant resources, the treatment options and the strategies used. And Brainworks is the brush that, through the team‟s skill and dedication, paints individual client‟s full picture of a healthy recovery and regained independence. “
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/print-media/
Brainworks has a Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/BrainworksRehab
Our aim is to continue to raise awareness about brain injuries, trauma, chronic pain and their effects on one's overall wellbeing. It is our passion and heartbeat to do what we can to reach as many people as possible, in raising this awareness and getting the message out that no one is immune from serious injury.
Brainworks will use this forum to communicate and connect with colleagues, friends and the community at large.
http://www.facebook.com/BrainworksRehab
Brainworks has a Twitter page:
twitter.com/BrainworksRehab
Our aim is to continue to raise awareness about brain injuries, trauma, chronic pain and their effects on one's overall wellbeing. It is our passion and heartbeat to do what we can to reach as many people as possible, in raising this awareness and getting the message out that no one is immune from serious injury.
Brainworks will use this forum to communicate and connect with colleagues, friends and the community at large.
http://twitter.com/BrainworksRehab
Easing Chronic Pain: Medical, Legal and Psychological Perspectives Chronic Pain can be a demoralizing condition with debilitating effects impacting all areas of one’s life. The pain itself can be unbearable; often leading to secondary conditions which further increase disability. Living with chronic pain may not be an option; however, suffering from it is. Clients experiencing chronic pain are on an endless quest for relief, understanding and support. It is our goal to assist them by shedding light on the many options and strategies our rehabilitation community has to offer.
Using sound behavioural principles, and empirically supported interventions our Sleep Tight program is a practical, four-session treatment program, individually delivered by a regulated health professional. It is difficult to overestimate the impact of sleep on recovery and rehabilitation. For those who are having sleep difficulties related to chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, anxiety or depressive symptoms related to an accident or injury, Brainworks' Sleep Tight program improves sleep routines in order to increase restful sleep with the end goal being improved cognitive, behavioural, physical and psychosocial functioning.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/sleep-intervention/
Brainworks' approach to case management is collaborative and consultative. We manage every aspect of our clients' rehabilitation program. Our focus is building relationships with stakeholders and managing strategic plans that will result in a positive improvement in our clients' functioning and well-being.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/case-managers/
Tami Nestor, B.A., B.Sc.T.
Rehabilitation Consultant
Windsor Phone: 519.970.9259
Tami Nestor, BA, BScT, is a seasoned case manager, having spent the past decade as a rehabilitation consultant in clinical, third party service provision, and disability insurance fields. With two highly relevant degrees and previous experience as a behavioural therapist, she has built on her specialized and intensive training in both behavioural science and psychology.
At Brainworks, Tami provides case management services in the Southwestern Ontario region, reviewing each case thoroughly and indentifying appropriate providers and facilities throughout the continuum of care. Tami ensures that available resources are being used in a timely and cost-effective manner in order to obtain optimum value for both the client and the referring agency.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/case-managers/
For clients who may need support any time of the day or night, Brainworks' 24-7 On-Call Service is just a phone call away. This is primarily a phone consultation service designed for individuals requesting an immediate response and is not intended to replace regular treatment, emergency services or natural community supports.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/on-call-services/
Psychovocational Assessments
Brainworks' psychovocational assessments represent a key intersection between our psychological and vocational services. Using the skills, knowledge and experience of our psychological service providers and our vocational consultants, Brainworks is able to provide assessments that that are individualized and designed to determine the range of practical and realistic options available for each client's unique set of strengths and challenges, in order to minimize disability and realize ability.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/psychovocational-assessments/
Arden McGregor and Dr. Sarah Vernon-Scott present a seminar at the Toronto ABI Network Conference"
Moving Forward: Designing a Behavioural Activation Program for People with Brain Injuries
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/
Barbara Hartwick
Rehabilitation Therapist
Based in Huntsville, Ontario
Phone: (705) 787-7500
Fax: (705) 787-7501
For Barb Hartwick, coming to Brainworks was a great opportunity to blend her business and creative experience with her background as a recreational therapist. She had earned her Therapeutic Recreation Diploma from Mount Royal College in Calgary and has been with us in our Muskoka office since 2008.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/rehabilitation-therapy/
Brainworks turned 5 ... a wonderful first 5 years serving the community.
Brainworks hosted a Birthday Bash
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/
Abe Ibrahim, SSW, RSSW, CBIS
Rehabilitation Therapist
Base in London, Ontario
He has a favourite saying that guides him in his life and work: "To be a master, you must always be a student." He believes that each person, including himself, is a studentâ€"constantly learning about themselves and about life in general. This philosophy inspires Abe to encourage the student in his clients by reminding them that by forging ahead, setting goals, and learning new tasks and skills, they will continue to get stronger, develop and grow. In this, Abe is a perfect complement to Brainworks' approach of facilitating independence while minimizing disability.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/rehabilitation-therapy/
Terry Ellison, BA, BSW, RSW
Social Worker
Based in the London area
For Terry Ellison, always having a positive outlook and the ability to view each client’s situation from their unique perspective are very important to her work. But these are just a fraction of the qualities she brings to her therapy sessions. She is keenly aware of the serious challenges facing her clients and is passionate about helping them reach their own personal goals. Having earned a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba, she enjoys helping others. Her focus on the individual has found an excellent fit with Brainworks. She joined us in 2008.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/social-work/
Brainworks expands it catchment to the cottage country.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/
Chris Papastamos, BRE, MA
Rehabilitation Therapist
Based in London Ontario
519-657-1180 ext. 107
For Hristos Papastamos, the greatest inspiration has always come from watching others experience and achieve far more than they ever dreamed possible. Throughout his twenty years in the field of counselling, he has seen time and again the strength and resilience of the human spirit to overcome all manner of challenges and setbacks.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/rehabilitation-therapy/
Jordan Kerr
Rehabilitation Therapist
Based in London and St.Thomas
Jordan has extensive vocational experience relevant to job coaching in a variety of areas, and has worked intensively with clients to get them back into a vocation that is within their abilities and that they are comfortable with. In addition, his organizational skills and careful attention to detail are ideally suited to treatment schedule management.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/rehabilitation-therapy/
Jill Rutherford, CYW, CBIS
Rehabilitation Therapist
Based in Windsor
Jill Rutherford was first introduced to brain injury when a family member went through a traumatic personal experience. She became familiar with its many effects on the individual involved and those closest to them, services available and the various forms of treatment. With all of her accumulated work and personal experiences combined with her acquired skills and specialized education as a Child and Youth Worker Jill has proven to be a highly valuable member of the Brainworks team. She has a Child and Youth Worker Diploma and has been with Brainworks since 2008.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/rehabilitation-therapy/
Behavioural Activation.
Using sound behavioural principles, our MOVING FORWARD program is practical, time-limited and solution-focused. For those who have lost interest in doing the things they used to do and are lacking in the motivation to resume those activities, Brainworks' MOVING FORWARD program uses the empirically supported intervention of behavioural activation to increase the quality and quantity of activity in which our clients engage.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/behavioural-activation/
Jackie Dorssers, BSW, RSW
Social Worker
Based in Chatham
When Jackie received her Bachelor of Social Work from Kings University College, her classmates honoured her with the Advocacy Award. In her professional work as well as her voluntary efforts, advocacy has been a key component. Jackie has worked in social housing and for various disability organizations. She is a long-time member of special education advisory committees and has both volunteered and worked for poverty and AIDS groups. She is involved in MVA work at Brainworks, having joined the staff in 2007.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/social-work/
Sarah Vernon-Scott, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Psychologist
Based in London Ontario
519-657-1180 ext. 108
Psychologist Sarah Vernon-Scott Ph.D., C.Psych. joined Brainworks in September 2007. Her interest in rehabilitation was sparked in her undergraduate years during a co-op placement at a vocational counselling centre. There, as an employment counsellor Sarah worked with individual clients to facilitate their return to work. "Hearing people's stories of frustration, sadness, grief and loss about their jobs and all the needs that having a job meets helped me to understand that having meaningful activity (paid work or otherwise) in one's life was really a necessity for mental health." And it was this realization that led her to consider areas of psychology that could incorporate this understanding into clinical practice. Sarah was thrilled to discover psychologists play an important role in rehabilitation.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/psychology/
Penny Primeau, BA (Psych)
Rehabilitation Therapist
Based in Windsor
Penny has experience assisting adults with disabilities, experience with brain injury treatment, experience developing and executing individualized plans for adults with disabilities, experience assisting children with special needs and experience in crisis intervention.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/rehabilitation-therapy/
Brainworks opens it's doors at 79 Ridout Street South London Ontario. A wonderful party with the Sheridan Band playing tradititional Irish folk music ... Colleagues, friends and family all celebrated as Brainworks embarked on its next phase.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/about/photo-gallery/
Brainworks moves to new office on 79 Ridout Street South. The building is one of London's heritage homes, first built in 1909.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/
Rehabilitation Therapists: Their Roles and Relationships with Case Managers, Health Care Professionals and Treatment Teams
Arden McGregor, M.A., C. Psych. Assoc., CBIT, Director of Brainworks presents a seminar on Rehabilitation Therapists.
Some questions and topics that were covered incldued:
What is a rehabilitation therapist (RT)? What is their role? How are they best used? Boundaries, relationships, protocol, communication, choice,
costs, benefits and other issues exist for case managers and professionals who use RTs. Case examples will help explain the RT role, explore the
issues and provide some answers.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/staff/rehabilitation-therapists/
Brainworks, in conjuction with Communication and Cognitive Services, provides a seminar "Strategies for Students with Acquired Brain Injuries" to the Thames Valley School Board.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/
Academic Support
Working from a client focused perspective our Academic Support Services are designed to meet individual learning needs. By providing guidance in an encouraging environment, clients will develop effective study skills and strategies to influence their learning and foster academic achievement.
Through its Academic Support Services, Brainworks will provide individuals with opportunities to succeed with their studies regardless of ability or disability. Our vision is to provide students with opportunities to attain personal goals by identifying and understanding their needs and learning styles.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/academic-support/
Lani Saarkoppel, BPhysEd, BTeach
Rehabilitation Therapist
Based in London Ontario
Qualified teacher, trained in therapeutic recreation and special education, has experience working with individuals with a variety of disabilities, including brain injury, effective team player.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/rehabilitation-therapy/
Brainworks Featured in the London Free Press
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/news/print-media/
Gary Cockman, RSSW
Rehabilitation Therapist
Based in Sarnia / Strathroy / London areas
Experienced in brain injury rehabilitation, experienced in behavioural management, job and life skills coaching and community-based programs, specialized training in work with First Nations people, honoured for mental health work, a field in which he worked for four years.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/rehabilitation-therapy/
rainworks adds Social Work as a service. Two social workers: one in London and one in Windsor join the Brainworks team.
Social workers help clients and their family members achieve the best quality of life possible and enhance their functioning in the community. The social worker will assist the client and family members to develop the skills to cope with the many challenges associated with their disability or medical condition and to make the necessary adjustments to changing circumstances. Information on other community resources will be provided as appropriate.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/social-work/
Gary Davies, MSW, MA
Social Worker
Manager of Social Work
Based in London Ontario
Manager of Social Work. Over a third of Gary's 37-year career in social work has been in brain injury. He has also worked in children's services and community and government programs in Ontario, Quebec and England.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/social-work/
Nina Sutton, BSW
Social Worker
Based in Windsor
Has a long personal experience with brain injury and over ten years experience in a variety of community settings: seniors programs, community health, young offenders, developmental disabilities, nursing homes and home support. She has worked with people with many disabilities across the lifespan, using several approaches. Over the past three years, she has focused almost exclusively on brain injury and chronic pain intervention.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/social-work/
Brainworks expands ... to include Vocational Services.
Our vocational services are individualized and are designed to minimize disability while promoting a successful return to work. We offer a full range of vocational programs:
Community-Based Vocational Placement
Vocational Analysis and Planning
Vocational Assessment
Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA)
Labour Market Survey (LMS)
Job Coaching
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/services/vocational-services/
Heather Raycraft, BA, SSW
Rehabilitation Therapist
Based in London
Years of experience in brain injury, can develop and implement behaviour programs for clients who live with brain injury, experience in resume development and job search, experience working with chronic pain and psychiatric disorders co-existing with brain injury.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/staff/rehabilitation-therapists/
Steve Wilpstra, DSW, CBIS
Rehabilitation Therapist
Based in London
Steve Wilpstra had spent 20 years working in social services before turning his focus to those with brain injury. Graduating from the Developmental Service Worker program, he has worked as a high-risk counsellor, correctional officer, child and youth worker, and employment specialist helping those with special challenges find work. He has been a rehabilitation therapist with Brainworks since 2005. Recently, he earned his CBIS designation and has been appointed Rehabilitation Therapy Team Leader.
http://www.brainworksrehab.com/staff/rehabilitation-therapists/

