Rehabilitation Therapists
      London & Area

Michelle Furtado Graham, DSW
Senior Rehabilitation Therapist

Michelle joined Brainworks in the fall of 2003 shortly after it was formed. Michelle has extensive experience in brain injury, experienced in working in schools, training personal attendants, carrying out physiotherapy routines, implementing behaviour management programs and supporting spinal cord patients. Michelle has formal training and experience implementing behaviour management programs and integrating multidisciplinary treatment plans into meaningful projects and functional activities for individuals with acquired brain injuries. Michelle also speaks Portuguese.

Karen Kempert, DSW
Rehabilitation Therapist

With over 20 years of experience in human services, Karen Kempert brings a wealth of knowledge to her work with clients. She loves working with people of all ages and enjoys helping them reach their goals. After a successful career in professional child care, where she moved up the ranks to a supervisory position, she returned to school to further her qualifications in disability services. Having graduated from the Developmental Services Worker Program at Fanshawe College in 2005, she has been with Brainworks for much of the time since.

Karen has worked closely with children with special needs for many years, and her problem-solving expertise has been widely sought by many agencies throughout the region. She’s developed a keen understanding of childhood development which she applies with sensitivity and confidence. Her skill level has extended to working with adults, and she has had rave reviews for her ability to quickly build a productive therapeutic alliance. Karen’s work at Brainworks covers a wide spectrum. She works with people of all ages with brain injury, autism, and other cognitive, behavioural and physical challenges.

Through a supportive client-therapist relationship, Karen provides an inclusive, client-centred environment for her clients—one in which they can redevelop their skills and work toward regaining their independence. In a nutshell, Karen loves helping people achieve their goals, and that has been her motivator from the start.

Lani Saarkoppel, BPhysEd, BTeach, TRS
Rehabilitation Therapist

For Lani Saarkoppel has thoroughly enjoyed the ten years she has spent helping those with acquired brain injury and other disorders reach for and attain their goals. She has been a rehabilitation therapist at Brainworks since 2006. She earned her Bachelor of Teaching degree from the University of Western Sydney in Australia in 2003, and enhanced that degree with a Special Education component from the University of Western Ontario.

Lani’s outgoing warmth and passion for her chosen field are evident to all who meet her. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and that has made a big difference in the lives of her clients. Lani knows how important attitude is in overcoming barriers, both real and perceived, and infuses her rehabilitation therapy with positive energy and encouragement, creating a supportive rapport. Her goal is to help clients feel empowered to take the lead in their own recovery. One client recently remarked: “I believe in myself because you believe in me.”

Lani is an effective team player with strong interpersonal skills. Her high level of energy, commitment, and significant experience in the field are definite assets to her work with both clients and multidisciplinary teams of professionals. She enjoys collaborating with other therapists and treatment partners to develop the best treatment options, and she values the expertise and contributions of each member on the treatment team. Through a clear communication style, she ensures her clients’ needs are addressed so that their goals can ultimately be achieved.

Over the years, Lani has worked with children, adolescents, adults and seniors each with their own unique set of challenges, including brain injuries, developmental issues, Alzheimer’s, behavioural disorders and mental illness. She has guided them through academic support, recreational programs, behavioural management and/or modification, life skills training and activities of daily living.

A colleague once wrote to Lani: “You have such a vibrant personality. Your energy, affection and happiness radiate through, and you’re the kind of person we like to be around. You connect with people, and it’s clear that you love what you do.”

Steve Wilpstra, DSW
Rehabilitation Therapist

Steve, a DSW graduate of St. Clair College has twenty years experience working with individuals with a variety of disabilities and is highly experienced in anger and behaviour management, vocational rehabilitation and social and life skills training. Steve joined Brainworks in the spring of 2005. Steve is currently working toward his Certified Brain Injury Specialist designation.

Abe Ibrahim, SSW, RSSW
Rehabilitation Therapist

Abe is a Social Service Worker graduate and joined Brainworks in 2008. Through his experience assisting adults with an acquired brain injury and other disabilities, those in conflict with the law, as well as men who engage in abusive behaviours, Abe Ibrahim has developed strong supportive counseling skills, and a welcoming, soft-spoken demeanor which brings a calming element to his work with clients and their families. Currently he provides rehabilitation therapy to people with brain injuries and other challenges. Prior experience includes working as a rehabilitation counselor, support worker and case assistant.

Most important to Abe in his work with clients is developing a solid rapport. He is fluent in Arabic and dabbles in studying several other languages. He has found that reaching out to clients in a culturally sensitive way often helps them feel more comfortable, particularly in the beginning when client and therapist are first getting to know one another.

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 student—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

Heather Raycraft, BA, SSW
Rehabilitation Therapist

Heather Raycraft was first introduced to working with brain injuries through her mother, who home-schooled several students with acquired brain injuries in high-school math. The more she learned about these injuries and their effects on those involved, the more she wanted to make a career out of helping these special individuals and their families.

Having earned her Bachelor of Art from the University of Western Ontario, majoring in Social Science, Heather then went on to earn a Social Service Worker Diploma through Fanshawe College. She has over nine years of community-based experience in brain injury rehabilitation. Before joining Brainworks in 2005, she worked as rehabilitation counsellor, service coordinator and case assistant.

Over the years, Heather has accumulated many valuable skills that she brings to her therapy sessions today. She has turned rehabilitation goals into useful, functional activities for clients, assisted in the development and implementation of behaviour programs, and helped those with brain injury, chronic pain and psychiatric disorders learn to adjust to or overcome their individual circumstances.

Heather is very skilled at working with challenging behaviours and is able to refocus an unproductive situation calmly and effectively. She knows that while some clients benefit best from a more serene approach, others need more direction, and she is able to adapt her therapy style accordingly.

Heather believes in the valuable collaboration process of teamwork, and values the input and experience that other professionals bring to the table. And she knows how important her own role is: “Implementing effective strategies and developing realistic goals requires a team effort in order to succeed,” she says. “And I am highly motivated to work within the team to promote the client’s own individual needs.” In that, she shares Brainworks’ own philosophy of putting the interests of clients front and centre to maximize their potential.

Terry Ellison, BA, BSW, RSW
Social Worker / Rehabilitation Therapist

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.

Terry has over 10 years of experience assisting individuals with a variety of developmental and physical disabilities. She has formulated effective action plans for over a hundred families and clients of all ages, paying close attention to their own viewpoints. She is passionate about her work and continuously finds great inspiration in the strength and perseverance she sees in her clients. She knows that some have a long road ahead of them, and for them especially, encouragement, patience and having someone who understands their challenges are all very important.

Brain injury can be “such a traumatic experience for anyone to go through,” she says, “but you witness such strength from each person’s story. And you realize that your work really matters.”

And the success stories keep her energized. After brain injury, one of her clients began to gain such motivation and momentum, that Terry watched her proudly complete one academic course after another in her bid to further her education. Terry was there to encourage and coach her throughout her journey.

Terry loves the collaboration process of the treatment team, sharing and discussing the many ideas that are generated in group discussion. She feels that each team member enriches the group as a whole with their own unique perspective about the client and their care, and she knows that the primary part of her role is to advocate for her client to ensure that their wants and needs are centre-stage. With this client-centred perspective, Terry is a great ambassador for Brainworks.

Chris Papastamos, BRE, MA
Rehabilitation Therapist

For Chris 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.

Having accumulated a wealth of experience counselling individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and business professionals, Chris joined our Brainworks staff as rehabilitation therapist in the spring of 2008. He has worked with clients of all ages with all forms of mental health concerns and other personal challenges. His soft-spoken yet direct, encouraging therapy style, combined with an excellent sense of humour, make him ideal for this role.

In addition to his one-on-one therapeutic work, Chris is also an inspiring speaker and trainer. He has conducted seminars and training sessions for government, and for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the areas of program development, strategic planning, leadership training, achieving balance between personal and professional life, relationship enhancement, and parenting. Over the years, he has also worked in clinical settings, developing three successful counselling practices.

An ordained minister, Chris deeply values the spiritual aspect of humanity. “I look forward to a time when spirituality is taken more into consideration in therapy than it currently is,” he says. “I believe it would only serve to enhance the tremendous work being done in our field.” One of his favourite quotes comes from the Bible: Isaiah 42:3: “He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle.” Chris draws from these words daily as a way of honouring the human spirit.

In the spring of 2009, given his extensive communication and management background, Chris was promoted to Manager of Community and Professional Services. One of his main goals as manager has been to further expand Brainworks’ reputation in the community “as the premier rehabilitation organization standing beside its clients, facilitating independence while minimizing disability.”

Chris is uniquely suited for his management role at Brainworks, which includes strategic planning, business development, communication, staff training, and special clinical projects. In addition, Chris continues to carry a therapy caseload, providing rehabilitation counselling to a number of our clients.

“It is an honour and a privilege to work with Brainworks’ treatment partners,” he says. “To witness how entire teams of individuals from different backgrounds, disciplines and levels of expertise come together for one purpose—to assist clients in overcoming their challenges—is an amazing experience.”

Dennis Radman, H.B.Sc., R.R.P.
Senior Rehabilitation Therapist

Dennis is a graduate of The University of Western Ontario and joined Brainworks in July 2004. He has over 15 years of experience working with people with a wide variety of disabilities and has applied his many skills in cognitive, behavioural and psychosocial rehabilitation to serve Brainworks and its clients. Dennis has extensive brain injury treatment skills, strong vocational and job coaching skills, life and social skills training, computer skills, trained and experienced in behaviour management and speaks Croatian.

In October 2006, in recognition of his dedication, commitment and ability, Dennis was promoted to Senior Rehabilitation Therapist. At the same time, he moved from London to Windsor to accept an appointment as Regional Manager for Essex-Kent, in recognition of Brainworks’ growing clientele in these two areas.

In August 2008, Dennis returned to London to assume the role of Manager, Rehabilitation Therapy. Dennis will continue to be the main contact for rehabilitation therapy throughout Essex and Kent; however, he will now oversee our rehabilitation therapy program throughout Southwestern Ontario, through a system of team leaders supervising Brainworks’ constantly growing number of front line rehabilitation therapists.

Sid Wilpstra
Rehabilitation Assistant

Although having just begun his studies at Fanshawe College, Sid Wilpstra has already had several years of experience assisting individuals of all ages with an array of rehabilitation challenges including those with brain injury. He has worked in risk management and activity planning, and also has experience in vocational coaching. Sid has been a rehabilitation assistant with Brainworks since 2009.

Some clients require more intensive supervision than others, and it is the role of the rehabilitation assistant to provide that extra guidance. The assistant also works closely with the treatment team to help implement specific goals and tasks as outlined by the treatment plan. They provide one-on-one support to those who don’t necessarily need the expertise of a rehabilitation therapist, but can significantly benefit from continuous involvement and monitoring. Sid takes this role very seriously and has seen many successes as a result of his intervention. “The thing that inspired me to get into the field of brain injury was having the opportunity to assist those in need and help them live life to the fullest,” he says. “And the success of my clients is what drives me to continue this work.”

With his easy-going nature, Sid easily establishes a close rapport with individuals of any age group. He always ensures his clients are comfortable in their working relationship. In order to best assist them, he knows how important it is to connect with them to form an environment of trust and openness.

Sid is passionate about music and enjoys singing and playing the guitar. He also has a special hobby in helping to save endangered animals.

Overall, helping others is what Sid is all about. He derives a true sense of satisfaction from working with individuals to help them achieve their goals. “I love this line of work,” he says. “I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to work with Brainworks to be the best rehab therapist I can possibly be, and I’m thankful for it every day.”

Gary L: Extensive experience in youth work, trained in the prevention and management of aggressive behaviour, strong rapport builder, skilled in behaviour therapy and anger management, experienced in working with multidisciplinary teams. (SSW)