Reaching the Unreachable Brain

Expanding knowledge of how the brain operates can be used to treat young children who previously were considered too damaged for healing. Using sophisticated brain mapping techniques, healing therapies like music, drumming, riding and grooming horses, immersion tank, neuro-feedback and more traditional therapies can be focused on specific weaknesses in the brain to strengthen self regulation abilities.

“The brain is like the proverbial black box” stated Lon to his guest’s Linda Zimmerman, founder of the Sandhill Child Center and Clinical Director, Dr. Kurt Wulfekuhler. “The brain has been a mystery for so long and ever since the 90’s; there has been an explosion of research” Linda agreed. And so began today’s topic: Reaching the Unreachable Brain, on Lon Woodbury’s Internet Talk Radio Show “Parent Choices for Struggling Teens” January 2, 2012 on LATalkRadio at http://www.latalkradio.com.

With both of today’s guest’s having about thirty years experience working with struggling and emotionally challenged adolescents, both Linda and Dr. Kurt have been using new and cutting edge techniques in working with children who were unreachable before. With the use of key principals from brain research, they have found that 1) the brain is hardwired based on past experiences, 2) the brain develops from the bottom up and 3) the brain develops sequentially. From there, a functional brain map is created by looking at the different areas of the brain that haven’t been developed or are in need of repair. The use of repetitive interventions are used to create new patterns, with some actually duplicating a maternal heart rate, such as drumming, touch, swimming and the use of a recently acquired floatation tank, which duplicates the sensory input of the womb. As Lon pointed out “this type of technique can be quite beneficial for those children who are hypersensitive to even the feel of their clothing.”

Other techniques that are quite successful in working with children include neurofeedback units that simulate video games, but use the child’s brainwave patterns instead of the use of joy sticks.  These brain wave patterns are used as EEG readings that can be monitored by therapists on the computer. Music, movement, yoga, exercise and guided imagery are also positive forms of self regulatory intervention methods. Relational interventions include animal assisted therapy with the use of horses, cats and dogs and cognitive therapies focus on speech and language techniques. Once again, Dr. Kurt explained “this framework of interventions start at the bottom of the brain stem”, or as Linda phrased it “it is comparable to the foundation of a house, the bottom needs to function correctly in order to work.”

On closing, Linda shared “that working and developing the models used at Sandhill Child Development Center has been a very rewarding experience and it is fascinating how the brain impacts everything we do.”

To listen to the whole interview on Reaching the Unreachable Brain, go to LATalkRadio at http://www.latalkradio.com/Players/Lon-010212.shtml.

Lon Woodburyas an Independent Educational Consultant is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com.  He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent choices for Struggling Teens on LATalkRadio Mondays at 12:00 Noon, Pacific Time, Channel One.

Linda Zimmerman, MA, LPCC, is the founder/CEO of Sandhill Child Development Center, located in New Mexico. Linda has a long history of working in and managing programs for young children. Linda has worked in various residential treatment programs, was director of another residential center and director of social services in a hospital setting. Sandhill Child Development Center was founded in 2004.

Dr. Kurt Wulfekuhler, PhD, is the Clinical Director for Sandhill Child Development Center and has 30 years experience working with emotionally disturbed children and is a specialist in attachment disorders. Dr. Wulfekuhler has been in private practice for many years and has been with Sandhill for three years.

Woodbury Reportswas founded in November 1989, by Lon Woodbury, MA, IECA, CEP, as an Independent Educational Consulting firm to help parents of teens making poor decisions select a private, parent choice program that would help return the family to normalcy.  Through interviews with parents, communication with professionals who know your child well, and then thoroughly researching viable options, we can help parents make the right choices that will help your child get back on the right path.  For more information about Woodbury Reports Inc., call 208-267-5550, or email to [email protected], or visit the web site www.strugglingteens.com.