CBIS Spotlight: Sharon Verheek

Sharon Verheek, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS, has more than 20 years of experience in the field of brain injury. Sharon has been with Hope Network Neuro Rehabilitation since 2000, providing expert therapeutic intervention services to individuals with acquired brain injuries, and other neurological conditions. Since 2012, she has supervised the Speech-Language Pathology department in Grand Rapids, leading a team of skilled and compassionate clinicians in provision of evidence-based and person-centered practice strategies. 

Sharon works with patients who have cognitive-communication and swallowing impairments.  Treatment is focused on rehabilitation of these skills and training compensatory strategies to help each individual communicate and live as independently as possible. 

Sharon earned her Bachelor of Applied Arts in both Communication Disorders and Psychology from Central Michigan University and her Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Bowling Green State University. She is a member of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). In addition to maintaining CBIS since 2005, Sharon is also certified in the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP). 

Why have you chosen a career in brain injury?  What are you most passionate about in the field?

I have a passion for working with people who have sustained brain injuries because I can appreciate that many of my patients had a very sudden change in status. They were previously living independent lives and then they abruptly lost these skills, and therefore they often desperately miss their independence. It is sometimes a challenge to find the most meaningful way to address those goals – to find the best way to keep patients motivated through what is often a long haul rehabilitation process – and I enjoy looking for strategies and techniques that will be the most beneficial and make the most difference for that individual.  

My goal as a speech-language pathologist is to figure out which strategies work best for that specific person in front of me because I know that every brain is unique. What works well for my brain won’t necessarily work well for my patient, and that is always an intriguing challenge that keeps me motivated to help each patient in a way that will make a significant difference in their lives.

As a clinician who has utilized telehealth, what are some of the benefits and opportunities of telerehab?

Planning and following through with telehealth sessions has served to be a great functional cognitive task for some patients who have difficulty in these skill areas. To use telehealth successfully, one needs to be able to select and utilize smartphone and computer technology to access the appointment information, show up at the right time and date, and follow the steps to connect with the clinician. It has been very telling to see if a patient can do these things independently, or if they need assistance from others. It has provided an extra cognitive challenge to our patients, and one that is worth working on, as telehealth will continue to be a significant clinical resource for patients going forward.  

Do you have any specific examples of how working with a patient through telehealth has been beneficial?

I worked with a woman for in-person sessions initially, which then changed to telehealth once COVID-19 precautions were in place. She was working on very high-level cognitive-communication goals to be able to return to work after Post-Concussion Syndrome symptoms contributed to the loss of her job. Telehealth was a very effective way to address her goals because she was computer savvy. She was able to complete assigned tasks outside of sessions, and then report back during her telehealth sessions on her progress. These tasks involved job searches, networking with others in her field, and updating her resume. She was then able to present her resume onscreen for real-time editing during our telehealth sessions.  

Another woman I worked with had significant challenges at home, including loss of income, loss of stable housing, and changes in family involvement, which greatly compounded her ongoing physical and cognitive symptoms resulting from her injury. These challenges were evident when working with her in the clinic, but were much more evident when working with her via telehealth because I could see with my own eyes how these factors prevented real progress. This led to a greater understanding of her barriers and more meaningful ways to help her address them.