New Web site and changing name

We have a new website. anopenmindnb.com

We will be formally changing the name of the company to An Open Mind and will offer Counseling, Brain Wave Optimization, and Brett will begin regular public speaking and CEU trainings. This is an exciting time.

Drug Shortages and Alternatives

Fragile Drug Supply Causing Critical Medication Shortages

“I’m not even sure we have it in,” pharmacist warned Utah woman Clixie Larson when she recently tried to refill prescriptions she and her son rely on. “They said, ‘Good luck, call around to other pharmacies, and see if they have it in,’" Larson reported to the Deseret News. Clixie’s pharmacist warned her that it could be up to eight weeks before they could obtain the medications she needed.

Both Clixie and her son rely on Ritalin and Adderall to help them overcome the effects of ADHD that plague them. Her pharmacist explained that the FDA puts a production cap on those amphetamines and that demand for the drugs had hit that level, resulting in nationwide shortages. (http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705366974/Shortage-in-medications-has-some-scrambling-for-alternatives.html

The Widespread Crisis Includes Many Common Medicines

Clixie’s story is only one example of the serious problem of medication shortages in the U.S—the problem is also local. A recent conversation with a Social Work Practicum student from Idaho State University echoes Ms. Larson’s discovery. Working with a client who has severe schizophrenia, this student reported the pharmacist was short on her clients needed medication and informed the student that this was consistent with all medications.

Several news articles have recently brought public the serious problem of medication shortages in the U.S. For those suffering from mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, this can create a serious concern for their daily functioning.

The Deseret News reported February 18, 2011 “A shortage of mood-stabilizing drugs has some parents in Utah, and nationwide, scrambling to fill important prescriptions for their kids and themselves…"A lot of people feel like it is a public health crisis", "Our drug supply is so fragile” said Erin Fox, manager of the University of Utah's Drug Information Service.

Last year was the year the service saw the highest number of shortages ever, according to Thomas Miller, chief medical officer at the University of Utah.

"Potentially it's a crisis clinically for our patients if it comes to the point where we have to restrict treatment or change treatment because of these drug shortages," Miller said.

The shortage is not limited to drugs used for treating mental health issues. Even supplies of common drugs such as antibiotics and cancer treatment are threatened. Scott Hensley of NPR reports that the shortages have impacted medications for “cancer to life-threatening infections”. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/05/02/135915888/drug-shortages-imperil-patient-care

Increasing demand for medications is adding to the crisis. Prescription demand for methylphenidate (commonly known as Ritalin®) has increased 500 percent, and there has been an approximate 200% jump in production quota in the 10 years after the initial cited report. This figure is alarming. The fact that consumption and prescribing of Ritalin has increased from 1768 kg in 1990 to 50,000kg in 2010 indicates that society that has lost focus on self awareness and personal control as well as a reliance on chemicals. . (http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/cngrtest/ct051600.htm) Misdiagnosis and quick fix interventions have also given rise to the use of these medications. AD(H)D symptoms mirror very closely those of traumatic stress syndrome and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Shortages Pushes People to Seek Alternatives to Medication

Many individuals who are regular users of these medications are beginning to seek alternative pathways for relief. Natural and holistic approaches, changes in diet, and other methods of intervention are being sought increasingly. One method of intervention, called Brain Wave Optimization came into use less than 9 years ago, and to date has helped over 32,000 individuals worldwide. This technology has been available at The Garden Counseling Center in Pocatello since September of 2010. The Garden Counseling Center), has seen a rise in clients seeking ways to free themselves from the dependence on these drugs. As licensed mental health therapists, Brett and Gina Judd have worked with a wide range of emotional concerns and added this powerful technology to their current practice. Research supports their belief and practice that all symptoms observed behaviorally have a direct link to the brain.

Brainwave Optimization a Safe and Effective Alternative

At The Garden, they work directly with the imbalances in the brain wave patterns that lead to what we refer to as disorders. Dr. Robert Scaer, in his book The Body Bears the Burden, has written extensively on the subject of the brain/body connection to moods and disease finding that much of it can be traced to life stressors and traumas. Brett and Gina have found that by balancing the brain function and the neural networks, many of the clients at The Garden Counseling Center are finding a diminishing of the emotional and behavioral symptoms they were dealing with.

The Garden Counseling Center uses Brain Wave Optimization software, which, through non-invasive and deeply relaxing tones, allows the brain to find balance, ultimately releasing habitual, established thought patterns that bring distress. The brain regulates all processes in the body and receives and gives feedback from stimulus every day, but it is often overlooked as a player in our emotional and behavioral selves.

When the brain has established a pattern it believes will keep the person moving and safe, it locks on to this, and a neural highway becomes cemented into place through habitual use. Concerns such as ADD/ADHD, Anxiety, Bi-Polar, and Depression can all be detected through distinct, identifiable brainwave patterns. Up until recently, individuals suffering from the effects of these conditions have tried to chemically override these patterns through medication and/or illegal drugs. By balancing the brain functions with the harmonic tones, we change the chemical patterns and therefore change the outcome. Even less severe imbalances than diagnosed mental disorders can hamper one’s performance in work, recreation, and relationships. Many have found Brain Wave Optimization to be a resource for enhancement of business, creativity and sports performance, and relief from many emotional and behavioral concerns.

Case Examples

Calvin S. is a 10 year old who suffered with severe ADHD symptoms and struggled in school. After 3 days of sessions, his mother reported he was sleeping through the night without his substantial melatonin pill. She also found him on his bed reading. He had been there for over 2 hours. After the sessions and one follow-up session, Calvin was doing home work in 30 minutes a night when it had previously taken him up to three hours each night.

Rick F, a local businessman, was referred to Bret and Gina by his physician as an alternative to the medications he was taking for anxiety and depression. Rick commented that by the end of the week he could “feel”, something he said he had never done. After his second day of sessions, he also reported that the panic attacks had not returned. Rick would come out of the sessions reveling in a new clarity of thought and greater understanding of ways to move his business forward. He also spoke of having a focus that he had not had before.

Heidi B. came to The Garden Counseling Center with sleep issues as a result of severe anxiety and panic attacks. Heidi stated that she was asleep within 20 minutes the first night. She was relieved to not have to resort to medications to “knock her out” just to get sleep. She later told Brett that she was less stressed in the planning for her wedding.

As the medical industry continues to grow, we often forget that some of the answers may lie within us. Trauma’s, life stress, and habituated belief/action patterns all have a genesis and root in the brain. Based in the Quantum Physics idea that anything that is observed will change, Brain Wave Optimization reflects the brains own activity back to itself in an “optimized” reflection. When the brain is provided with an opportunity to see itself, it can notice the dysfunctional patterns it has developed and create new, functional patterns based on the optimized suggestion that is presented.

The supply chain for medications has become more regulated, controlled and more drugs side effects continue to be longer than the symptoms they treat. Perhaps it is time to think more internal. Brain Wave Optimization available at The Garden Counseling Center provides effective alternatives to chemical interventions. For more information regarding Brain Wave Optimization, go to www.cerebalance.com or call Brett or Gina at 208-232-2263.

Disclaimer:

Brain Wave Optimization does not claim to cure, treat or diagnose any disorder. Brain wave pattern trends give insight to potential diagnosis or behavioral/emotional concerns. Any reported cure from the process is individually claimed.

The brain spine connection

After a recent auto accident, I was plaqued with a severe and recurring head ache that eminated from the top of my neck and shot upwards to my skull. I ached all day, often to the point of needing to lie down and just "disappear". I did 3 sessions of brain wave optimization work and felt that emotionally I was more balanced and that mentally I had worked through the trauma of the accident. Particularly, I did not cringe as cars approache an intersection I was going through. But the head ache remained.

I have had clients who were regular users of chiropratic work come and get brain balanced. I found that they were very receptive to the brain wave training and that many times had deeper visualizations and experienced faster change than those clients who have not had this work. I decided that I would try the chiropratic route as a way to find releif from my head ache.

During my session, Dr. Johnson aligned the vertibrea in my neck and back. The head ache immediately went away. Over the course of 3 weeks, I returned for regular adjustments each time getting more relief than the first and finding that the adjustments were faster and smoother. On my second visit, Dr. Johnson had me recieve a cranial sacral massage. This is was truly a wonderful experience. It was as if a head gate on a canal had been opened and all of the balanced information from my brain could now flow throught the aligned spine. Nichelle was amazed at the ease of the session, and asked what type of energy or balancing work i did. I told her about the brain wave work I do and she said that she could tell I had already worked through the trauma as the emotional/mental energy that flows through this massage was very open.

Dr. Johnson spoke about the interconnection of the work we are doing in a lunch and learn we had for their office yesterday. He stated that during his schooling, they often dicussed that they were working on the feedback network for the mental energy from the brain. He wondered though, "what if that energy was out of synch?" He was excited about the prospect that there is a synergistic relationship in the 2 practices, his opening the conduits and our brain wave optimization balancing the information.

I know for me, it was a very compelling experience and I will be recommending all of my brain wave clients either begin with chiropractic and cranial sacral or follow up with this. By freeing the delivery system for the balanced brain wave information, the brain and body are now able to work in harmony with each other through an open and synergistic flow of feedback and information.

Brett

What is Brain Wave Optimization Flyer

	Office: (208) 232-3363 Fax: (208) 478-6610

Brainwave Optimization

With Real-Time Balancing

is a breakthrough in

Neurofeedback Technology

designed to increase:

Relaxation Self-regulation Meditation

Harness your own brainpower and triumph over:

- Burnout - Sleeplessness

- Anxiety - Addiction

- Inner Chaos - Anger

- Pain - Depression

- Challenges to learning & performance

The Process:

Through EEG sensors and computer technology, the energy patterns of the brain are detected, converted to corresponding audio frequencies, and played in back into the brain through earphones. This enables the brain to recognize its own functioning.

Then, combining the latest advances in brain research are tailored to the real-time functioning of the brain and it receives “mirror image” of its own balanced and harmonized wave patterns so that it can observe itself in a balanced state.

Automatically, the areas that are out of balance then begin to work toward the healthy, balanced state, resulting in faster and more effective thinking, increased intuition, deeper feeling, and the ability to put all our energy into acting creatively instead of reacting defensively. Call today to experience a the relief and peace of a truly quiet mind!

Finding our relationship through Emotionally focused therapy and Gina Judd

Going to counseling sessions with Gina Judd was the most important decision that Robert and I made in trying to repair our relationship. We both desperately wanted something better, something “more”. Gina was able to get us to look deep inside ourselves, and dig for the meaning behind the emotion. Sometimes this was very painful, and very hard work! Learning to “see” what is causing the feelings and understand the emotions that drive the reactions could sometimes be frustrating. The very real result was that we were able to stop the habits and learn new steps to the “dance”. No longer am I Fox-trotting when Robert is doing the Tango. Our communication is so much better and more productive. Do we still struggle when outside pressures of life ramp up?; sure, but we are also able to recognize the traps that held us captive for so many years. Gina gave us the tools to avoid these traps and keep the lines flowing.

During the sessions, Gina promoted a very quiet, very safe environment. At no time did we ever feel hostility or danger while under her watchful eye. Scary? Yes! Very! She made us explore feelings and emotions that were more often than not, never even noticed before. I’ll never listen to the phrase “How does that make you feel” quite the same way again. The sessions were emotionally and mentally exhausting, but the feeling of peace and comfort that came out at the end was ALWAYS worth it! It made us keep coming back, even through the fear of “what’s going to come out this week”.

Gina became a very dear friend throughout this process. It was bittersweet when she “graduated us”. A little bit of panic set in. Could we really do this alone? But yes, we can, we are! (Plus, we both know she is there if we need her again!)

I would recommend EFT therapy for ANYONE in a relationship that wants it to remain intact, whether there are problems or not. I can’t begin to describe the difference in myself, my husband, or the “ripples” the experience has seen in our entire family.

Gina knows her stuff! I would and have recommended her to anyone and everyone that struggles with ANYTHING. Wow! I could shout it from the rooftops. I love this woman, love this approach and am so very thankful we chose to seek out the help.