Since I began to introduce these new tools to my trade, I’ve seen dramatic changes in even my most difficult therapy challenges. With the help of these newly found approaches, my clients’ rate of improvement, depth of change, and long-term symptom relief has given my clientele a more rapid resolution to their presenting issues and allowed me greater career satisfaction.

Tools and Techniques for:
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Concentration and Memory
Reading and Writing Skills
ADD/ADHD
Enhanced Sports Performance
Stress Reduction
Improved Self Image and Self Expression

Treatment Modalities:

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)
Based on impressive new discoveries involving the body's energies, EFT has been reported to be 80% clinically effective in relieving the following problems: Trauma, Abuse, Stress, Anxiety, Fears, Phobias, Depression, Grief, Addictive Cravings, and hundreds of physical symptoms including headaches, body pains and breathing difficulties. It is a missing piece to the healing puzzle, based on the knowledge of the healing effects of acupuncture and acupressure.

The premise of EFT is that memories and thoughts about unresolved distressing experiences are trapped in the body’s energy system. These negative feedback loops create electrical imbalances that can bring about emotional/physical illness. EFT releases the thoughts, memories and their dysfunctional patterns, restoring the natural balance and flow of energy to the system.

Technique
The EFT procedure involves a combination of tapping with the fingers on emotion-specific energy meridians in the body that are associated with acupuncture. These acupuncture sites have been found to be associated with particular emotions. While doing the tapping sequence, distressful thoughts and/or events are targeted and specific statements are repeated. The energy of the EFT procedure dislodges the trapped thoughts/feelings and allows the natural balance and flow of energy to resume, bringing immediate relief.
It is not necessary that you fully understand or believe in the theoretical foundation of EFT. The techniques will work whether you believe in them or not. EFT often works where nothing else will. It is usually rapid, long lasting and gentle. No drugs or equipment are involved. It is easily learned by almost anyone in less than an hour, and can be self applied.

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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Technique
Although its mechanisms are still not fully understood, EMDR [Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing] has demonstrated phenomenal ability to resolve emotional issues. In particular, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). shell-shocked battle veterans, victims of rape and abuse, and survivors of natural and man-made disasters have experienced quick and permanent relief with EMDR, often in cases where numerous other therapies, including hypnosis, have failed. EMDR is well researched and its clinical success has been demonstrated worldwide [See www.emdr.com]. Most recently (December, 2001) the Chicago Tribune reported that survivors of the attack on the World Trade Center agreed that EMDR was the most effective therapy in resolving their trauma.

Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., originator of the process, explains the effects as the breaking of a “neurological loop”, installed at the time of the traumatizing event. EMDR appears to activate a natural mechanism for dissipation of the dysfunctional loop enabling clients to integrate difficult life experiences and get past them. After EMDR, thinking about the events no longer triggers the trauma survivor into states of anxiety, depression or terror.

Technique
With EMDR, clients are asked to focus on the disturbing experience/images, physical sensations and/or thoughts. As the therapist hand moves from side to side in front of the client’s face, the client follows the hand movement with their eyes. These lateral movements seem to disperse the unresolved emotional charge associated with the distressing events, circumstances, or perceptions. EMDR procedures sometimes incorporate other methods of side-to-side lateralization [tones in alternating ears, tapping on alternate sides of the body] to activate hemispheric interactions.
The second phase of the EMDR procedure seeks to instill a positive thought process in place of the negative one that was associated with the distress. For example, the person who has lived through an earthquake might go from thinking, “I am vulnerable”, to recognizing that the danger is past and that, “I am secure and comfortable”.

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HeartMath Freeze Framer Program
The HeartMath Research Center has found a critical link between emotions and the heart, as well as the immune and hormonal systems. According to the Mayo Clinic, in the past decade cardiovascular fitness has become synonymous with good emotional and physical health. The HeartMath Research Center is engaged in several areas of investigation showing how and why our mental and emotional attitudes have such profound effects on the rhythms of the heart. This research is proving what many of us already know intuitively – that our mental and emotional attitudes are directly related to our health and happiness.

The Freeze Framer was developed based on scientific research conducted by Doc Childre and the Institute of HeartMath. IHM’s research explores the physiological mechanisms by which the heart communicates with the brain and how it influences our perceptions, emotions and health. When our biological systems synchronize with the heart’s rhythmic beating patterns, we enter a physiological state called entrainment.

Entrainment reflects a harmonious balance between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system. This internal state of heightened physiological efficiency enhances health and promotes optimal performance. Dramatic, positive mental and emotional shifts can also occur during entrainment. Often, perception of a difficult situation shifts to a more decided outlook, which reduces stress levels and restores the body to a state of balance and well-being.

With the Freeze Framer ™ Emotional Management Enhancer, the heart’s rhythmic pattern is observable on your computer screen. Using new technology, the Freeze Framer displays your physiological state by recording your all-important heart rhythms through a fingertip pulse sensor that simply plugs into the serial port on your computer.

A smoother, calmer more uniform pattern usually indicates a more balanced nervous system, and a jagged pattern generally indicates a less entrained system. While using HeartMath techniques called Freeze Frame and Heart Lock-In, the Freeze Framer records and analyzes heart rhythms with a mathematical algorithm that assigns an entrainment score. At the same time, your ability to maintain entrainment is plotted real-time, on-screen, using a defined area called “the Zone”. The data from each session is recorded for later review and analysis. Practicing with this sophisticated biofeedback technology on a daily basis can show quick remarkable improvements in reducing stress, transforming frustration, anger, depression and anxiety while increasing vitality, productivity, work/life balance and improving overall health.

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CLEAR Therapy (Colored Light Entrainment and Repatterning)
Clear Therapy is a method of releasing unresolved core emotional issues using colored light.

Flashing Light and Brainwave Entrainment
In the 1930’s Dr. W.G. Walter found that when flashing light is emitted into the eyes, the brain adopts the rhythm of the strobe (see Brain and Brainwave Entrainment). It was later determined that when the flash rate was adjusted to particular speeds, the brain’s adaptation to that speed causes an individual to enter a beta, alpha, theta or delta brain wave state. It is in the deep unconscious states that we as children first receive information. Both healthy and unhealthy beliefs are formulated and held in these brain wave states. It is the unhealthy beliefs that give rise to panic, anxiety, addictions, sleep problems, and low self esteem, to mention only a few of the life difficulties that hinder our functioning and overall wellbeing, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

About the Technique
In conventional therapy, the goal of the therapy process is to become conscious of the underlying causes of behaviors and beliefs. This exploration occurs in a beta (fully conscious) waking state. Beliefs and emotions are often not restructured and resolved because the client’s brainwave frequency must match the frequency in which the trauma originated in order for the dysfunctional thoughts or memories to be released.

How the Technique is Administered
In the initial intake session, the client looks at 11 different colors of flashing light and the therapist is able to pinpoint unresolved emotional issues based on distortions the client sees in each color. In the following sessions, the feedback from the client’s perception of the colors enables the therapist and client to uncover core beliefs that drive the client’s dysfunctional thinking, feelings or behavior. These beliefs are then intentionally changed by the client with the aid of the light and the therapist. CLEAR is coordinated with eye movement (see EMDR), breathwork and meridian-based therapies ( see EFT) to facilitate rapid resolution of the client’s problem.

Who Can Benefit from CLEAR Therapy?
Adults and children with phobias, fears, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or low self-esteem
Those in need of stress relief and stress management techniques
People who have not achieved their desired results in other therapies
People who are enjoying a relatively full and happy life who would like to expand their consciousness

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LST (Light Stimulation Therapy)
What is LST?
LST enhances learning abilities and sports performance by stimulating the eye and brain with light. It has the objective of improving health and human performance by optimizing brain function. Since most sensory input to the brain is in the form of visual light perception, light has the greatest influence on brain function and is the focus of this non-invasive technique. The Downing Technique was developed by John Downing, O.D., Ph.D. during 20 years of research and clinical observation in the study of neurosensory stimulation. LST is an adaptation of Downing’s technique, which involves the use of rhythmic colored light into the eyes for a period of 20 minutes over 20 consecutive sessions. The flashing light at various rates of speed functions as a catalyst for mind-body healing. It has had enormously successful results in the following areas: concentration, memory, reading, test anxiety, creativity, stress reduction, self-esteem, hyperactivity (ADD), chronic fatigue and chronic pain syndromes.

How Light Affects the Brain
Over the past 60 years, neuroscience has established our dependence upon light perception for much more than just seeing the world around us. Acting as photocells for the brain, the eyes convert light energy into electrical energy. Light- generated electrical stimulation travels throughout the brain, promoting better brain and body function.

Light Stimulation Deficit
Clinical evidence suggests that such factors as heredity, stress, head injuries, emotional trauma and poor lighting can decrease the ability of the eye to transform light energy into electrical energy, creating a deficit. Most people have some degree of these deficits. This means that a great many individuals are not functioning optimally in the areas of vision, health and human performance.

LST begins with the measurement of the visual field to ascertain whether light is being processed effectively and efficiently in the brain. A series of comprehensive questionnaires help to determine certain areas of the brain that may be affected as well. This information is used to specify the necessary colors of light to be utilized by each individual to restore balance. Eleven different wave bands of color have been found to be effective stimuli for this purpose. By increasing the efficiency of light processing in the brain, LST can improve stimulation of brain activity, reactivate neural pathways, improve intellectual, mental, emotional, and physical well being and quality of performance.

How LST is Administered
LST is administered by having an individual sit comfortably in a darkened room looking at the proper waveband of colored light which is focused directly on the eyes.
Sessions last 20 minutes. Assessment results determine the number of series required [20 sessions per series.] Clients are required to have 3 to 5 sessions per week until the total of 20 sessions is completed. At the end of each 20-session series, there is a reevaluation to determine the necessity of further treatment and/or to adjust the color protocol.

Who Can Benefit from LST?
Children ages 5-7 to enhance early learning development skills
Children ages 8-12 for behavior modification, learning and sports enhancement
Teens in the areas of sports performance, educational achievement, SAD
Adults and children with learning difficulties including ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, poor concentration and memory
Adults and children who suffer from Self Esteem issues, Mood and Behavior Disorders, Anxiety, Stress, Depression and Light Sensitivity

Contraindications for LST
Clients with severe mental or emotional disturbances such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders are not appropriate candidates for this therapy, nor are those suffering from “photo-convulsive” epilepsy. Those suffering from eye diseases should obtain permission from their optometrist or ophthalmologist before experiencing LST. Those with portal hypertension or high blood pressure need permission from their physician.

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Color Therapy Eyewear
Color therapy can be done with non-prescription sunglasses designed for convenience and affordability. The use of colored glasses as a therapeutic modality is based upon the principle that each color always vibrates at a specific individual frequency. Science has shown that each of the body's organs also pulsates at its own frequency. However, stress, illness and fatigue can have a negative impact on these frequencies. In a manner similar to vitamin and mineral supplementation, we can receive health benefits from the balancing and restorative effects of color frequencies.
The color that produces the greatest positive response determines the appropriate glasses for the client. The Color Therapy Glasses are worn daily for 30 to 60 minutes, but the actual length of time depends on the client response. Each color gives a different feeling or effect. The glasses come in 9 individual rainbow colors [magenta, red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue, indigo and violet].
The color therapy eyewear is often used in conjunction with CLEAR Therapy [see insert] for continued therapeutic effect between sessions. The colored glasses can evoke feelings of calm, energy, alertness, clarity, and relaxation.

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