Guest: Melissa Del Pino, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD:https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/maximizing-neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity gives us hope after a traumatic brain injury, but how we as SLPs tap into it makes all the difference. In this episode, Melissa Del Pino, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, joins host Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, to share how centering patients’ voices, strengths, and lived experiences can lead to more meaningful recovery.

Together, they explore how to align therapy with goals that matter most to patients, recognize the small but powerful communication cues that guide intervention, and create strategies that help the brain rewire in lasting ways.

Tune in for practical, patient-centered approaches that remind us recovery isn’t just about techniques—it’s about truly listening and partnering with the people we serve.

About the Guest: Melissa Del Pino. MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, and Dr. Amen–Certified Brain Health Trainer. She is the founder of Speech Like Honey Speech Therapy Inc., a private practice offering speech therapy and consultation services across the lifespan, with a specialized focus on concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Melissa’s passion for brain health and athlete rehabilitation emerged through her clinical journey, where she found her calling in supporting TBI survivors. With a deep understanding of the challenges associated with brain injury and a strong commitment to harnessing neuroplasticity, she works to help individuals regain cognitive function, enhance communication, and optimize overall brain health. Melissa has been invited to speak on numerous topics, including the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA), AAC assessment and intervention, creating language-rich environments for late talkers, the role of the SLP in school settings, and the cognitive-communication impacts of brain injury. Outside of her professional work, Melissa enjoys camping, gardening, Zumba, and pottery.