Mind Matters: Navigating Head Injuries and Concussions – Episode Recap (Part 2)
Hosted by Kiley Como | Guest: Zach Smith, Clinical Director, Constant Therapy Health
In this second installment of our two-part series on Mind Matters, we welcomed back Zach Smith, a seasoned speech-language pathologist and Clinical Director at Constant Therapy Health, to dive deeper into how digital tools like the Constant Therapy app are revolutionizing access to brain injury rehabilitation.
Zach brought a wealth of knowledge to the conversation, not only about speech and cognitive therapy but also about the real-world barriers brain injury survivors face and how digital innovation is offering new hope.
A Digital Lifeline for Stroke and TBI Survivors
The episode kicked off with Kiley Como, Legal Nurse Consultant at Shane Smith Law, reflecting on Zach’s extensive background, which includes training at Boston University and the MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Zach explained how Constant Therapy was created to fill a critical gap in post-injury rehabilitation: consistent, evolving, accessible therapy that patients could use on their own, or in tandem with a clinician.
Zach shared how the app, now a widely used digital therapeutic tool, was born out of a recognition that many stroke and TBI patients were left without sufficient support after discharge. Since its inception, the tool has grown to include not only AI-powered personalization but also new language support, including a fully developed Spanish version and region-specific adaptations for international users.
“There really weren’t any therapy tools like this at the time,” Zach explained. “The goal was to make recovery more accessible and keep evolving with the patient.”
The Power and Urgency of Mobile Health
Zach highlighted two primary challenges facing patients today:
- A national shortage of speech–language pathologists
- Geographic isolation from care resources
He shared a striking example of a stroke survivor in South Dakota whose nearest neurologist was a 450-mile round trip away. For patients like her, a digital therapy platform like Constant Therapy may be their only path forward.
With the app’s clinician-patient interface, providers can assign, adjust, and monitor therapy remotely. For those without access to a therapist, the built-in AI automatically adapts exercise difficulty and progression based on the user’s responses, helping ensure forward momentum in recovery.
“We’re seeing more patients who can’t find a therapist, but now they have a tool that can learn with them and help move them forward,” Zach said.
Overcoming Tech Hurdles with Real Human Support
Recognizing that not every patient is tech-savvy, Zach emphasized the importance of support, both from family and from Constant Therapy’s in-house team.
The company’s customer service isn’t AI-powered; it’s staffed by real people who often form meaningful connections with users, especially those needing extra help to get started.
“We have users who start calling our support staff by name,” Zach said. “That’s the level of connection and care we aim for.”
Exercises That Reflect Real Life—Not Just Therapy Drills
Constant Therapy offers the world’s largest evidence-backed library of speech-language and cognitive exercises. These range from traditional therapy tasks like repetition and naming to more functional skills such as:
- Map navigation: Practice using real-world maps to build planning and spatial skills
- Clock math: Time-based problem solving to reinforce time management
- Speech recognition: Immediate feedback on word recall and articulation
- Instruction following: Rebuilding auditory comprehension
- Executive function challenges: Strengthening the “inner voice” used for planning and decision-making
All exercises are backed by peer-reviewed research and are fully customizable based on a patient’s diagnosis, symptoms, and goals.
Personalization Through AI—and Real Results
New users begin by answering a detailed intake that includes their condition type, date of injury, and symptoms. From there, Constant Therapy’s algorithm selects exercises and adjusts difficulty as performance improves.
Perhaps the most exciting feature is the real-time progress tracking. Patients receive feedback on accuracy, speed, and can view visual progress graphs that display trends over time, a powerful motivator.
“When that trend line starts creeping up, patients can literally see their hard work paying off,” Zach noted.
A Final Word from Zach: Recovery Must Be Individualized
Zach wrapped up the conversation by underscoring the importance of individualized care.
“No two brain injuries are alike, and therapy shouldn’t be either,” he said. “What works for one person may not work for another, and that’s why customization and evolution are key.”
For those curious about Constant Therapy, Zach encouraged trying the two–week free trial, which requires no credit card and allows users to explore the platform fully before committing.
Watch the Full Episode
This episode of Mind Matters is a must-watch for anyone navigating recovery from a brain injury, as well as for caregivers, clinicians, and case managers seeking accessible tools to support their patients or loved ones.
➡️ Watch now on YouTube
💬 Have a question for Zach or our team? Leave a comment below!
📱 Learn more at constanttherapyhealth.com
And as always, if you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash or traumatic event,
In pain? Call Shane!
📞 980-999-9999
