READY TO FOCUS
800 Ellis Road, Suite 245
Norton Shores, MI 49441
Toll-free: 1-800-850-0535
Appointments: info@readytofocus.com
Billing: billing@readytofocus.com
Schedule an appointment today! 1-800-850-0535
800 Ellis Road, Suite 245
Norton Shores, MI 49441
Toll-free: 1-800-850-0535
Appointments: info@readytofocus.com
Billing: billing@readytofocus.com
Schedule an appointment today! 1-800-850-0535
Posted on January 24 2012
By Dr. Jeffrey Van Meter - Ready To Focus clinical supervisor & Bradley Oostindie - Ready To Focus clinical director
We are often presented with questions from our participants regarding how neurofeedback actually works. Specifically, what exactly about this intervention causes the brain to operate differently and how the positive changes can be permanent for some? This discussion is an in depth explanation of how neurofeedback promotes positive change and the science behind the intervention.
The brain is a remarkable organ that has the ability to self-regulate. By this we mean the brain automatically controls its own blood supply and can direct increased blood flow to more active areas of the brain as needed. As you may know, blood carries life sustaining oxygen as well as other nutrients such as glucose that provide cells what they need to function and grow. The concept of measuring blood flow in the brain is called “perfusion.” Perfusion can be clearly measured via SPECT and PET scans, and more recently it has been proven that the EEG patterns can actively correlate with perfusion.
Although the EEG has its origins in the early 20th century, it wasn’t until Dr. Barry Sterman’s work in the 1960’s that we learned EEG patterns can be identified as regulated or dysregulated, and these brain wave patterns can be controlled by the participant via the concept of operant conditioning. For example, the brain of an adult or child with ADHD may show a low activation type dysregulation, meaning the brain lacks activity in certain regions that is necessary for the person to maintain sustained focus and effort. The concept of operant conditioning is basically a method of “positive reinforcement,” whereby when we reward regulated brain wave patterns we tend to get more of that type of pattern and less dysregulated patterns. The brain then changes structurally and biologically at a cellular level. At microscopic levels small connections are made in the brain’s neurons and these neuronal connections are developed via perfusion. So, in the case of our ADHD child or adult, we are using the EEG to find areas of the brain that are under focused, increase activity in these regions via operant conditioning, and allowing the brain to do what it does naturally - namely grow and develop these new connections via perfusion.
Another issue to consider with neurofeedback is the effect chronic stress has on the brain. When stressed, the body automatically secrets a cortisol hormone to activate organs of the body to respond to the stressful event. When a person is chronically stressed this hormone is secreted excessively. Unfortunately, research shows that cortisol can have a negative impact on the brain, among other organs of the body. Specifically, we know cortisol can negatively impact the hippocampus and the temporal lobe regions of the brain. This impedes the brain’s ability to focus and learn, among other negative consequences. For this type of condition we use neurofeedback to help train a relaxation response to counter-act the release of cortisol and to provide a calming effect for the brain and the central nervous system.
The amount of training (i.e. operant conditioning) required for most participants is 30-40 sessions. At this point most participants (or their brains rather!) have received enough positive reinforcement and neuronal growth to make pronounced change possible. Research demonstrates that approximately 50-60% see significant reduction of symptoms at this point in the neurofeedback process and approximately 80% will report positive improvement at single or multiple levels. Some may require periodic maintenance sessions after completing the initial program if they find symptoms returning.
The place to start is a one-time consultation where we can measure you (or your child’s) brain wave patterns for evidence of dysregulation. At that appointment we will discuss how the type of dysregulation discovered can be causing certain problems and how neurofeedback training may help address those problems. A number of behavioral conditions can be associated with certain types of dysregulation, including ADHD, trauma issues and PTSD, anxiety, stress, depression, autism, migraine headaches, among others. A good assessment will help individualized your training plan (in neurofeedback “one size” training methods does not fit all) and help you achieve the results you desire.
A special thank-you to Dr. Jay Gunkelman, Dr. Seigried Othmer, and Dr. Lynda Thompson whose articles and publications were researched and utilized in putting together this information.
Posted on January 17 2012
Ready To Focus is pleased to announce a new office location in the Holland MI area. In conjunction with Winning At Home, a Christian counseling organization, Ready To Focus will be providing neurofeedback assessment and treatment services at the Winning At Home counseling offices. Services will begin in mid February 2012. Winning At Home is located at 300 S State Street, Zeeland MI. This office will join our other locations in Norton Shores MI, Plainfield IL, Lisle IL, and Geneva IL (at our Legacy Clinical Consultant partnership offices). To schedule an appointment at any location call our main phone number at 1-800-850-0535.
Ready To Focus founder Brad Oostindie and Winning At Home clinical director Peter Newhouse are both excited for this new service at the Winning At Home offices! Both Newhouse and Oostindie share similar interests in providing high quality behavioral healthcare services with a mission mindset. Both frequently travel internationally to provide workshops, training, and services abroad to missionary and international aid workers and look forward to continuing that work together in 2012, along with the new partnership at the Winning At Home offices. For further information about Winning At Home visit their website at www.winningathome.com.
Posted on August 3 2011
Ready To Focus is pleased to announce that professional golfer, Andy Matthews, has become a spokesperson for the program! As a professional golfer, Andy Matthews fully understands the need to remain calm, focused, and undistracted while doing his job. Ready To Focus is helping Andy achieve that and bring his professional golf game to a new level!
Andy began working with Ready To Focus clinical director Brad Oostindie approximately two years ago. He continues as a Ready To Focus participant to this day because of the help it has provided him. The results are impressive! Andy has achieved some of his best finishes over the past couple of years including a win at the Mexican Open in 2010! His earnings have improved and he is currently playing on the Canadian PGA tour where he is having his best year ever. PGA qualifying school begins in October and he will be working closely with Dr. Jeff Van Meter and Brad Oostindie to sharpen his mind, as well as his game, prior to Q school.
In becoming spokesperson Andy made this statement, “The type of focus I need on the golf course is the same type of focus your child needs in the classroom or an adult needs at work. There are so many benefits to the Ready To Focus program and I strongly encourage everyone to participate and realize the same benefits I have.”
He goes on to say, “This program has changed not only my professional career, but my entire life in a positive way! I can’t say enough for the team at Ready To Focus and the specialized neurofeedback program they provide. They are committed to each participant and to doing everything with excellence.”
Update - Andy recently completed both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the PGA Qualifying School rounds and will compete in the final Stage 3 round for his PGA card. Way to go Andy! This will be his first trip to stage 3. More information in this Mlive.com article. http://www.mlive.com/golf/index.ssf/2011/11/adas_andy_matthews_earns_a_sho.html
Posted on January 10 2011
This January 2011 study published in the Clinical EEG and Neuroscience Journal reports the effectiveness of using neurofeedback to treat migraines. In this study of 71 patients, 54% experienced complete remission of migraines and another 39% experienced a 50% reduction of migraines by using neurofeedback as a primary treatment method. Ready To Focus uses a similar protocol for migraines as was used in this study. Our participants have experienced similar results. Many thanks to this journal and to the authors of the study for their excellent work in reporting this.