There has been a steadily growing interest in Neurofeedback therapy. This therapy is already offered in one or two top international clinics and we are proud to be able to offer this treatment here at PROMIS.

Neurofeedback is a cutting edge therapy which is proving to be very helpful for the treatment of substance abuse, anxiety,depression, epilepsy, OCD, learning disabilities, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, cognitive impairment, migraines, headaches, chronic pain, autism spectrum disorders, sleep dysregulation, PTSD and concussion.

Neurofeedback therapy involves placing a number of electrodes on the scalp in order to read the brain’s waves, in a similar way to having an EEG. These brain waves are then diagnosed and a treatment plan is dynamically created by specialist computer programmes.  This treatment is designed to work directly on the Central Nervous System, one of the biological systems which needs to be in a balanced state.

The experience of a Neurofeedback session is very pleasant. While still wired up to the computer, music is played through headphones and one is invited to watch a video. All one has to do is relax and listen. When the computer wants to interact and adjust a particular pattern, all it does is cause a very slight click sound in the recording which can be noticed through the sessions. This is enough to gradually change the brains patterns.

Each session lasts just under an hour and effects can be noticed immediately or after just 5 or 6 sessions. The effects are greater concentration, better sleep, more stable moods and more. This is why this system is now very popular with sports professionals and other professional performers. The benefits to our client group are obvious.

The typical course of treatment is a total of up to 30 sessions. This is a remarkable treatment but, like all the other treatments that PROMIS offers, it should be seen as being part of a system of treatments that, when combined, have a power far greater than the sum of their individual parts.

Working with horses and professional therapists, people discover new ways of dealing with addiction problems. Many times patients receive an invaluable insight into their own behaviours through interacting with these magnificent creatures.

A relationship developed with a horse can offer challenges to help overcome fears, build up trust, respect, compassion, develop communication skills, problem solving and coping techniques as well as self confidence and self esteem. These skills are transferable to many other areas of ordinary day to day life.

People learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with the horses. Horses are very intelligent animals and they are deeply perceptive to human behaviour which makes them a great companion in therapy. They are extremely open to building trustful relationships if the trust is mutual. They can sense any kind of stress that we may be experiencing and react according to the signals they receive from us. What’s most fascinating about them is that they can neither lie nor judge but they can surely help us discover new things about ourselves and open doors to a new found confidence, joy of life, understanding, free us from our resentments and provide us with a wider perspectives of ourselves.

Once you get to form a bond with your horse, you will realise how the subtle changes in the way you feel further impact your relationship with your horse and consequently with your  family members and your social circle. Moreover, they can also assist you in building natural leadership skills or they can help you tone down those compulsive behaviours that end up restricting your life.

Recent applications of EAP transcend beyond the treatment of addiction and mood disorders as it is now widely recognised to be a very powerful tool in treating trauma and other mental illnesses. In fact, so powerful that we have seen the EAP turn many skeptics into firm believers just after a couple of sessions!

The Department of Health is investing £100,000 in a two year trial of SMART Recovery, a secular support group similar to AA, according to the Guardian yesterday.

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EAP

I attended a refresher course on Equine Assisted Psychotherapy last weekend.

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I recently attended a workshop run by a fantastic man called Dr Rufus May. Rufus featured in the TV documentary called “The Doctor Who Hears Voices” in which his amazing work is explored.

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High Ropes

We have just added a ropes course to our list of therapies.

There are two courses, one low, and the other, pictured here, high. A wide range of therapeutic issues can be explored on a group basis  or on an individual basis.

At PROMIS we love to use active therapies in addition to more regular therapies as a way to look for as many solutions as possible.

All of our therapeutic activities are optional and designed for each individual. This might not suit some but for others it can be very helpful.

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