 |
 |
|
|
Interview with Debra Burdick, LCSW, BCIA-EEGFrequently Asked Questions
How did you get to be a Brain Power expert?To answer this question, I would like to share with you a variety of important experiences that brought me to where I am today, helping people like you feel better, think better, and perform at your peak. First, in my 20's, after a very painful relationship breakup, I realized I needed help and sought out a psychotherapist. He helped me so much. I felt the work I did with him was the best thing I ever did for myself and it truly changed my life for the better. Secondly, after spending 16 years working as a computer software engineer mostly on defense contracts, I realized I wasn't happy with my work. I decided to go back to school to get a Masters Degree in Social Work. I felt that if I could help even one person as much as my therapist had helped me years before, then it would all be worthwhile. I now feel very grateful to have helped hundreds and hundreds of people. Thirdly, I got sick in 1984 and no one could figure why I was ill. This began a healing journey that led me to learn about many alternative healing modalities. Among other things, I had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. At one of my Neurofeedback Conferences I discovered that Neurofeedback was being used to help Fibromyalgia. When I returned from the conference I did 30 Neurofeedback sessions in 40 days and was able to eliminate the medication I had been taking - and the symptoms are gone! And finally, my daughter was diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. In elementary school she started taking stimulant medication and her grades improved. Then when she was 13, she did Neurofeedback training. She was able to discontinue her stimulant medication and her grades remained good. She graduated from college after spending 3 years on the Dean’s list - no medications needed. This personal journey helps me understand how to help people of all ages, from diverse backgrounds that are ready to make positive changes in their life. I know what it takes to make personal change as I have made significant changes in my own life. I also have first hand experience with being helped by the treatment modalities I offer to you. Besides a BS in Applied Mathematics and 16 years as a computer software engineer, I have a Master's in Social Work, 16+ years as a psychotherapist, plus over 300 hours of coursework in Neurofeedback and the brain. How long have you been doing this work?I have been doing psychotherapy since 1992 and have worked at Family Services, Child and Family Agency, The Child Guidance Clinic, the Care Center and have been in my private practice, Advanced Options, LLC since 1999. I also added Neurofeedback to my practice in 1999. Who are your clients?I help people just like you and your children who have decided to make positive changes in their life. I have helped clients from a huge variety of professions and life situations. A sample follows:
I have helped kids from most of the schools in the area including, but not limited to:
My clients have worked at many local businesses and organizations. Here is a small sample:
How are you different from other therapists?My background and training are unique. I have studied psychotherapy, as all therapists must, but I have 300+ hours of specialized training in Neurofeedback and Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology of the Brain. I have also trained extensively in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, health, depression, anxiety, relationships, and addictions, and am continuously updating my skills. I utilize Brief Treatment/Solution focused techniques to help clients identify how they feel, understand why, and explore options for change. I describe myself as an 'options' person, and continually help clients expand their view of possible options. I combine therapeutic techniques and I teach Cognitive/Behavioral techniques to help clients become aware of their thoughts and how these impact how they feel and how they act. I help clients make positive change with insight, empathy, understanding, and encouragement. Unlike some therapists, I am direct and active and will give you expert feedback on issues you are dealing with. I want to make sure you get your money's worth, so therefore in a holistic, kind and supportive way, I will help you explore your belief's, your feelings, and your behavior and explore options for positive change. If I feel you would benefit from other treatment modalities, I will let you know and make referrals where appropriate. What type of clients do you work best with and what is expected of me?The Brain Power System for Outrageous Success™ is designed to help people who are serious about making positive change in their life. Often, but not always, my clients have tried almost everything else and feel desperate for improvement in their lives or the lives of their children. My clients get excellent results because they are motivated, they want change now, and they make this treatment a priority in their lives. Often they do not know where to start, so I work with them to understand where they've been, how they got where they are, and explore options for changing their future. Clients are expected to keep their appointments on a consistent basis, be interested and motivated to explore how they got where they are and what options they have for change. What type of client will NOT benefit from this treatment?The only clients who do not seem to benefit are those that don't keep their appointments, who give the treatment a very low priority, or who are unable or unwilling to do any work on themselves. Clients must want to get results and have goals. If not, this program will not work for them. This program is not geared for the severely mentally ill. A more intensive program with more frequent sessions is usually needed. What issues have you helped clients with?Clients come for a variety of reasons. The major issues include:
What exactly is the Brain Power System for Outrageous Success?The Brain Power System for Outrageous Success is a 10 step proprietary system. It consists of these 10 simple steps for success and results:
The steps can be used separately or in conjunction with each other but best results are obtained when they are all addressed. Does this really work?YES! Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy (talk therapy) has a long record of effectiveness and is the preferred modality of psychotherapy by most health insurance companies. The Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America states that Neurofeedback meets their clinical guidelines for treatment of ADHD, depression, anxiety (including OCD, PTSD, Generalized anxiety, phobias), depression, reading disabilities, addictions and seizures. Studies show that Neurofeedback works as well as stimulant medication for ADHD, and improves concentration, depression, panic attacks, anxiety, sleep, learning disabilities, addictions, stress, anger, impulse control, hyperactivity, and much more. What results can I expect?You can expect to feel better, think better, and perform better. Ninety-three percent of my clients (who attended at least five sessions) have reported improvements in their symptoms. You can expect to address your specific issues and symptoms, have an individually tailored treatment, and meet your treatment goals. What is the process?- Initial visitDuring the initial visit I will ask you, "'So what's going on? Why are you here?" We will do a simple verbal question and answer assessment. I will take notes on my computer so I can organize and remember the information. I do not take notes on my computer in subsequent sessions. - AssessmentAn assessment is done during the initial session and is an on-going process. For therapy sessions, the assessment entails answering my verbal questions about why you are here, mood, concentration, energy, sleep, medications, treatment history, suicidal ideation, hallucinations, paranoia, health, and treatment goals. For Neurofeedback, this same process is done during the initial visit, plus other visits are used to: complete a detailed symptom checklist that is organized by brain function, to take a computerized Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) to assess how well the brain is regulating itself, and if warranted, to record the Quantitative ElectroEncephalograph (QEEG) to get a detailed electrical picture of the brain and compare it to a database of normal brains. - Defining Treatment GoalsI always ask my clients "How will we know that this is helping?" For therapy clients, we will define your treatment goals depending on why you are here. For Neurofeedback we will define between 5 and 10 symptoms you would like to improve and rate these symptoms on a scale of 1-10 on how severely they impact your life. We rate these symptoms again at each visit to monitor what changes are occurring and what still needs improvement. - Treatment Recommendations and PlanBased on the assessment, we decide on the recommended treatment plan. This might include weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly individual therapy sessions depending on the need. This might include a decision to do Neurofeedback or Heart Rate Variability training instead of therapy, or to combine these. It might include a referral to your primary care physician if there is a health issue, or to a psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatrist if medication is indicated and desired. Sometimes a referral is made to an inpatient facility for stabilization in severe cases or for detox for substance dependence. This is tailored to your individual needs.
What does it cost and is it covered by insurance?Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is covered by insurance. Neurofeedback is not covered by most insurance per se. We do our best to combine psychotherapy with Neurofeedback and thus can charge it all as psychotherapy. An initial CBT session costs $150 and subsequent sessions $140. I am an out- of-network provider for most insurance plans. If your insurance plan has no out-of-network benefits, then we will refer you to an in-network provider whenever possible. You may need to meet your deductible before insurance starts to pay. You will be responsible for my full fee at each visit. We will bill your insurance company for you. Typically, the insurance company will send reimbursement for covered services to you. I take cash, checks, and Master Card and Visa credit cards. An initial Neurofeedback session costs $150 and subsequent sessions $140. Some prepayment plans are available. See the previous paragraph for further information about insurance coverage. Do you accept credit cards?Yes, I accept Master Card and Visa. I also accept checks and cash. Where can I find more information about Neurofeedback?There are several excellent books about Neurofeedback which are available at my online store. Written for the general public:A Symphony in the Brain: The Evolution of the New Brainwave Biofeedback by Jim Robbins Getting Rid of Ritalin: How Neurofeedback Can Successfully Treat Attention Deficit Disorder Without Drugs by Eduardo Castro and Robert W Hill More technical:The Neurofeedback Book by Michael and Lynda Thompson Getting Started with Neurofeedback by John N. Demos Where can I find more information about Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy?There are two excellent books available at my online store. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Dummies by Rob Wilson and Rhena Branch Thoughts and Feelings: Taking Control of Your Moods and Your Life: A Workbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques by Matthew McKay, Patrick Fanning, and Martha Davis If I have more questions, how can I get them answered?Call Deb’s assistant to set up a time for a brief Get Acquainted phone call to answer the rest of your questions. What do I do to get started?Email Deb at deb@TheBrainLady.com. In the meantime you can get FREE tips on how to create more success in your life by clicking HERE to subscribe to Deb’s free monthly ezine, The Brain Lady. Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you soon. |
|
|||||||||
[Home] [Brain Power System for Creating Outrageous Success] [A Holistic Approach to Successful Children HSS] [Client Testimonials] [Free Report] [Free Weekly Tips] [Free Must Read Articles] [Events & Classes] [Online Store] [Interview With Deb] [Become an Affiliate] [Speaker Sheet] [About Us] [Contact Us] Copyright © Debra Burdick 2009 - 2011 |
