EMDR Therapy is a highly researched therapy that was developed to ‘desensitise’ and ‘reprocess’ traumatic memories. It is used for a wide variety of mental health presentations including stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, outbursts, chronic pain, phantom limb pain, specific phobias and other conditions that are either caused by, or contributed to stress, such as tics or tinnitus. Read more about EMDR Therapy here

Our brain develops and adapts to life experiences at each stage of life starting from within the mother's womb. This impacts current function. The NMT Brain Map involves a thorough assessment of experiences through life stages and the current functioning of different areas of the brain by asking questions and making observations. A software then generates a brain map based on this detailed information. The brain map helps guide interventions specific to the individual.

Our approach to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) How is ADHD diagnosed? Conventionally, ADHD is diagnosed based on a cluster of symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – the DSM. What does the diagnosis of ADHD tell us? It tells us that: · such a cluster of symptoms are present · such symptoms have been present for at least 6 months · such symptoms impede the functioning of that individual What does the diagnosis of ADHD not tell us? · it does not tell us any reason or cause for those symptoms What are the consequences of sticking to such diagnostic labels? · not knowing the cause limits our ability to offer long term healing for these patients · as we do not know the cause, by treating the symptoms rather than the cause, ADHD is labelled a lifelong disorder ***THAT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THE CASE ALWAYS *** An explanation for these symptoms This cluster of symptoms can be from different causes. A common cause that has a developmental / neuroscientific explanation for this symptom cluster is dysregulation of the safety-survival system in the brain (Autonomic nervous system and HPA axis) which in turn could be from past life experiences (watch the video on Behaviour and Brain Function here, where Dr D Davidson explains some of these concepts) ‘Regulating’ these systems can lead to long term healing and can help people eventually come off medication and thrive. Our approach to ADHD Our approach is tailored to the individual and may include: · A comprehensive initial mental health assessment to explore the symptoms and life history · A Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) brain map to guide interventions · Formal ADHD assessment at this stage, if needed · Lifestyles strategies · Therapeutic interventions including sensory interventions / motor interventions / EMDR · Medications o Stimulants – Methylphenidate (Ritalin / Rubifen / Concerta) are often used as the first line agents. o Alpha 2 agonists - Clonidine (weekly patch) and Guanfacine (extended release - Intuniv ER). These help manage ADHD symptoms by working on the pre-frontal cortex and also modulating the HPA axis and sympathetic nervous system (part of autonomic nervous system). It helps bring back balanced functioning of brain networks, which in turn helps with long term healing. Contact us to discuss further.

We all feel some anxiety at some time or other. Anxiety may serve as an alerting signal, warning us of external /internal threats and consequently acting as a prompt to take appropriate action. When anxiety is very severe and present even when there is no threat of any kind, then it interferes with our functioning and can become an illness. In this circumstance, anxiety becomes a disorder characterised by an unpleasant emotion with feelings of fear, threat and impending danger and can be associated with numerous bodily symptoms like breathlessness, trembling, tightness in throat, dry mouth, racing heart and nausea/vomiting. There are varieties of anxiety disorders like panic attacks, phobias (unhealthy fear of something), agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), social anxiety, post-traumatic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anxiety can often be associated with a depressive episode. Anxiety disorders are very common and if unrecognised and untreated, can cause severe disability. This can be addressed through a variety of interventions including EMDR therapy, lifestyle strategies, other therapeutic interventions and medications when needed.